Chapter 01: Nursing Today
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which nurse most likely kept records on sanitation techniques and the effects on health?
a.
Florence Nightingale
b.
Mary Nutting
c.
Clara Barton
d.
Lillian Wald
ANS: A
Nightingale was the first practicing nurse epidemiologist. Her statistical analyses connected poor
sanitation with cholera and dysentery. Mary Nutting, Clara Barton, and Lillian Wald came after
Nightingale, each contributing to the nursing profession in her own way. Mary Nutting was
instrumental in moving nursing education into universities. Clara Barton founded the American Red
Cross. Lillian Wald helped open the Henry Street Settlement.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:5
OBJ: Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. The nurse prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain expected outcome. Which standard of
nursing practice is the nurse following?
a.
Assessment
b.
Diagnosis
c.
Planning
d.
Implementation
ANS: C
In planning, the registered nurse develops a plan that prescribes strategies and alternatives to attain
expected outcomes. During assessment, the registered nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent
to the patient’s health and/or the situation. In diagnosis, the registered nurse analyzes the
assessment data to determine the diagnoses or issues. During implementation, the registered nurse
implements (carries out) the identified plan.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:2
OBJ: Discuss the development of professional nursing roles. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
3. An experienced medical-surgical nurse chooses to work in obstetrics. Which level of proficiency is
the nurse upon initial transition to the obstetrical floor?
a.
Novice
b.
Proficient
c.
Competent
d.
Advanced beginner
ANS: A
A beginning nursing student or any nurse entering a situation in which there is no previous level of
experience (e.g., an experienced operating room nurse chooses to now practice in home health) is
an example of a novice nurse. A proficient nurse perceives a patient’s clinical situation as a whole, is
able to assess an entire situation, and can readily transfer knowledge gained from multiple previous
experiences to a situation. A competent nurse understands the organization and specific care
required by the type of patients (e.g., surgical, oncology, or orthopedic patients). This nurse is a
competent practitioner who is able to anticipate nursing care and establish long-range goals. A nurse
who has had some level of experience with the situation is an advanced beginner. This experience
may only be observational in nature, but the nurse is able to identify meaningful aspects or principles
of nursing care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:2
OBJ: Discuss the development of professional nursing roles. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse assesses a patient’s fluid status and decides that the patient needs to drink more fluids.
The nurse then encourages the patient to drink more fluids. Which concept is the nurse
demonstrating?
a.
Licensure
b.
Autonomy
c.
Certification
d.
Accountability
ANS: B
Autonomy is an essential element of professional nursing that involves the initiation of independent
nursing interventions without medical orders. To obtain licensure in the United States, the RN
candidate must pass the NCLEX-RN®. Beyond the NCLEX-RN®, the nurse may choose to work
toward certification in a specific area of nursing practice. Accountability means that you are
responsible, professionally and legally, for the type and quality of nursing care provided.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:3
OBJ: Discuss the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
5. A nurse prepares the budget and policies for an intensive care unit. Which role is the nurse
implementing?
a.
Educator
b.
Manager
c.
Advocate
d.
Caregiver
ANS: B
A manager coordinates the activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care and
has personnel, policy, and budgetary responsibility for a specific nursing unit or facility. As an
educator, you explain concepts and facts about health, describe the reason for routine care
activities, demonstrate procedures such as self-care activities, reinforce learning or patient behavior,
and evaluate the patient’s progress in learning. As a patient advocate, you protect your patient’s
human and legal rights and provide assistance in asserting these rights if the need arises. As a
caregiver, you help patients maintain and regain health, manage disease and symptoms, and attain
a maximal level function and independence through the healing process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:4
OBJ: Describe the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
6. The nurse has been working in the clinical setting for several years as an advanced practice
nurse. However, the nurse has a strong desire to pursue research and theory development. To fulfill
this desire, which program should the nurse attend?
a.
Doctor of Nursing Science degree (DNSc)
b.
Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD)
c.
Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP)
d.
Doctor in the Science of Nursing degree (DSN)
ANS: B
Some doctoral programs prepare nurses for more rigorous research and theory development and
award the research-oriented Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing. Professional doctoral programs
in nursing (DSN or DNSc) prepare graduates to apply research findings to clinical nursing. The DNP
is a practice doctorate that prepares advanced practice nurses such as nurse practitioners.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:10
OBJ: Describe educational programs available for professional registered nurse (RN) education.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
7. A nurse attends a workshop on current nursing issues provided by the American Nurses
Association. Which type of education did the nurse receive?
a.
Graduate education
b.
Inservice education
c.
Continuing education
d.
Registered nurse education
ANS: C
Continuing education involves formal, organized educational programs offered by universities,
hospitals, state nurses associations, professional nursing organizations, and educational and health
care institutions. After obtaining a baccalaureate degree in nursing, you can pursue graduate
education leading to a master’s or doctoral degree in any number of graduate fields, including
nursing. Inservice education programs are instruction or training provided by a health care facility or
institution. Registered nurse education is the education preparation for an individual intending to be
an RN.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:10
OBJ: Describe educational programs available for professional registered nurse (RN) education.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
8. A nurse identifies gaps between local and best practices. Which Quality and Safety Education for
Nurses (QSEN) competency is the nurse demonstrating?
a.
Safety
b.
Patient-centered care
c.
Quality improvement
d.
Teamwork and collaboration
ANS: C
Quality improvement identifies gaps between local and best practices. Safety minimizes risk of harm
to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance. Patientcentered care recognizes the patient or designee as the source of control and full partner in
providing compassionate and coordinated care based on respect for patient’s preferences, values,
and needs. Teamwork and collaboration allows effective functioning within nursing and
interprofessional teams, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision
making.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:7 | 8
OBJ: Describe the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse has compassion fatigue. What is the nurse experiencing?
a.
Lateral violence and intrapersonal conflict
b.
Burnout and secondary traumatic stress
c.
Short-term grief and single stressor
d.
Physical and mental exhaustion
ANS: B
Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe a state of burnout and secondary traumatic stress.
Compassion fatigue may contribute to what is described as lateral violence (nurse-nurse
interactions, not intrapersonal). Frequent, intense, or prolonged exposure to grief and loss places
nurses at risk for developing compassion fatigue. Stressors, not a single stressor, contribute to
compassion fatigue. Physical and mental exhaustion describes burnout only.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:6
OBJ: Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices. TOP: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. A patient is scheduled for surgery. When getting ready to obtain the informed consent, the
patient tells the nurse, “I have no idea what is going to happen. I couldn’t ask any questions.” The
nurse does not allow the patient to sign the permit and notifies the health care provider of the
situation. Which role is the nurse displaying?
a.
Manager
b.
Patient educator
c.
Patient advocate
d.
Clinical nurse specialist
ANS: C
As a patient advocate, the nurse protects the patient’s human and legal rights, including the right of
the patient to understand procedures before signing permits. Although nurses can be educators, it is
the responsibility of the surgeon to provide education for the patient in preparation for surgery, and it
is the nurse’s responsibility to notify the health care provider if the patient is not properly educated.
Managers coordinate the activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care, and
clinical nurse specialists are experts in a specialized area of nursing practice in a variety of settings.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:3
OBJ: Describe the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
11. The patient requires routine gynecological services after giving birth to her son, and while seeing
the nurse-midwife, the patient asks for a referral to a pediatrician for the newborn. Which action
should the nurse-midwife take initially?
a.
Provide the referral as requested.
b.
Offer to provide the newborn care.
c.
Refer the patient to the supervising provider.
d.
Tell the patient that is not allowed to make referrals.
ANS: B
The practice of nurse-midwifery involves providing independent care for women during normal
pregnancy, labor, and delivery, as well as care for the newborn. After being apprised of the
midwifery role, if the patient insists on seeing a pediatrician, the nurse-midwife should provide the
referral. The supervising provider is an obstetric provider, not a pediatrician. A nurse-midwife can
make referrals.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:4
OBJ: Describe the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
12. The nurse has a goal of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Which activity
is appropriate for a CRNA?
a.
Manages gynecological services such as PAP smears
b.
Works under the guidance of an anesthesiologist
c.
Obtains a PhD degree in anesthesiology
d.
Coordinates acute medical conditions
ANS: B
Nurse anesthetists provide surgical anesthesia under the guidance and supervision of an
anesthesiologist, who is a physician (health care provider) with advanced knowledge of surgical
anesthesia. Nurse practitioners, not CRNAs, manage self-limiting acute and chronic stable medical
conditions; certified nurse-midwives provide gynecological services such as routine Papanicolaou
(Pap) smears. The CRNA is an RN with an advanced education in a nurse anesthesia accredited
program. A PhD is not a requirement.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:4
OBJ: Describe the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
13. A nurse teaches a group of nursing students about nurse practice acts. Which information
is most important to include in the teaching session about nurse practice acts?
a.
Protects the nurse
b.
Protects the public
c.
Protects the provider
d.
Protects the hospital
ANS: B
The nurse practice acts regulate the scope of nursing practice and protect public health, safety, and
welfare. They do not protect the nurse, provider, or hospital.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:10
OBJ: Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices. TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Management of Care
14. A bill has been submitted to the State House of Representatives that is designed to reduce the
cost of health care by increasing the patient-to-nurse ratio from a maximum of 2:1 in intensive care
units to 3:1. What should the nurse realize?
a.
Legislation is politics beyond the nurse’s control.
b.
National programs have no bearing on state politics.
c.
The individual nurse can influence legislative decisions.
d.
Focusing on nursing care provides the best patient benefit.
ANS: C
Nurses can influence policy decisions at all governmental levels. One way is to get involved by
participating in local and national efforts. This effort is critical in exerting nurses’ influence early in the
political process. Legislation is not beyond the nurse’s control. National program can have bearing
on state politics. The question is focusing on legislation and health care costs, not nursing care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:9
OBJ:Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices.TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
15. A nurse is using a guide that provides principles of right and wrong to provide care to patients.
Which guide is the nurse using?
a.
Code of ethics
b.
Standards of practice
c.
Standards of professional performance
d.
Quality and safety education for nurses
ANS: A
The code of ethics is the philosophical ideals of right and wrong that define the principles you will
use to provide care to your patients. The Standards of Practice describe a competent level of
nursing care. The ANA Standards of Professional Performance describe a competent level of
behavior in the professional role. Quality and safety education for nurses addresses the challenge to
prepare nurses with the competencies needed to continuously improve the quality of care in their
work environments.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:3
OBJ: Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
16. A graduate of a baccalaureate degree program is ready to start working as an RN in the
emergency department. Which action must the nurse take first?
a.
Obtain certification for an emergency nurse.
b.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination.
c.
Take a course on genomics to provide competent emergency care.
d.
Complete the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Systems.
ANS: B
Currently, in the United States, the most common way to become a registered nurse (RN) is through
completion of an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree program. Graduates of both programs
are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
to become registered nurses in the state in which they will practice. Certification can be obtained
after passing the NCLEX and working for the specified amount of time. Genomics is a newer term
that describes the study of all the genes in a person and interactions of these genes with one
another and with that person’s environment. Consumers can also access Hospital Consumer
Assessment of Healthcare Providers Systems (HCAHPS) to obtain information about patients’
perspectives on hospital care.
DIF:Remember (knowledge)REF:9
OBJ: Describe educational programs available for professional registered nurse (RN) education.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
17. While providing care to a patient, the nurse is responsible, both professionally and legally. Which
concept does this describe?
a.
Autonomy
b.
Accountability
c.
Patient advocacy
d.
Patient education
ANS: B
Accountability means that the nurse is responsible, professionally and legally, for the type and
quality of nursing care provided. Autonomy is an essential element of professional nursing that
involves the initiation of independent nursing interventions without medical orders. As a patient
advocate, the nurse protects the patient’s human and legal rights and provides assistance in
asserting these rights if the need arises. As an educator, the nurse explains concepts and facts
about health, describes the reasons for routine care activities, demonstrates procedures such as
self-care activities, reinforces learning or patient behavior, and evaluates the patient’s progress in
learning.
DIF:Remember (knowledge)REF:3
OBJ:Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices.TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
18. A nurse is teaching the staff about Benner’s levels of proficiency. In which order should the nurse
place the levels from beginning level to ending level?
1. Expert
2. Novice
3. Proficient
4. Competent
5. Advanced beginner
a.
2, 4, 5, 1, 3
b.
2, 5, 4, 3, 1
c.
4, 2, 5, 3, 1
d.
4, 5, 2, 1, 3
ANS: B
Benner’s levels of proficiency are as follows: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and
expert.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:2
OBJ: Discuss the development of professional nursing roles. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is preparing a teaching session about contemporary influences on nursing. Which
examples should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Human rights
b.
Affordable Care Act
c.
Demographic changes
d.
Medically underserved
e.
Decreasing health care costs
ANS: A, B, C, D
Multiple external forces affect nursing, including the need for nurses’ self-care, Affordable Care Act
(ACA) and rising (not decreasing) health care costs, demographic changes of the population, human
rights, and increasing numbers of medically underserved.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:6
OBJ: Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices. TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Management of Care
2. After licensure, the nurse wants to stay current in knowledge and skills. Which programs are
the most common ways nurses can do this? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Master’s degree
b.
Inservice education
c.
Doctoral preparation
d.
Continuing education
e.
National Council Licensure Examination retakes
ANS: B, D
Continuing education programs help nurses maintain current nursing skills, gain new knowledge and
theory, and obtain new skills reflecting the changes in the health care delivery system. Inservice
education programs are provided by a health care facility to increase the knowledge, skills, and
competencies of nurses employed by the institution. Both can help the nurse stay current. Master’s
degree programs are valuable for those in the role of nurse educator, nurse administrator, or
advanced practice nurse. Professional doctoral programs in nursing (DSN or DNSc) prepare
graduates to apply research findings to clinical nursing. National Council Licensure Examination
retakes are not to keep current; this test is taken to enter RN practice.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:10
OBJ: Describe educational programs available for professional registered nurse (RN) education.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse wants to become an advanced practice registered nurse. Which options should the nurse
consider? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Patient advocate
b.
Nurse administrator
c.
Certified nurse-midwife
d.
Clinical nurse specialist
e.
Certified nurse practitioner
ANS: C, D, E
Although all nurses should function as patient advocates, “advanced practice nurse” is an umbrella
term for an advanced clinical nurse such as a certified nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist,
certified registered nurse anesthetist, or certified nurse-midwife. A nurse administrator is not an
example of advanced practice.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:4
OBJ: Describe the roles and career opportunities for nurses. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse manager from the oncology unit has had two callouts; the orthopedic unit has had
multiple discharges and probably will have to cancel one or two of its nurses. The orthopedic unit
has agreed to “float” two of its nurses to the oncology unit if oncology can “float” a nursing assistant
to the orthopedic unit to help with obtaining vital signs. Which concepts does this situation
entail? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Autonomy
b.
Informatics
c.
Accountability
d.
Political activism
e.
Teamwork and collaboration
ANS: A, C, E
Staffing is an independent nursing intervention and is an example of autonomy. Along with increased
autonomy comes accountability or responsibility for outcomes of an action. When nurses work
together this is teamwork and collaboration. Informatics is the use of information and technology to
communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision making. Political activism
usually involves more than day-to-day activities such as unit staffing.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:3 | 8
OBJ:Discuss the influence of social, historical, political, and economic changes on nursing
practices.TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 02: The Health Care Delivery System
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a patient whose insurance coverage is Medicare. The nurse should
consider which information when planning care for this patient?
a.
Capitation provides the hospital with a means of recovering variable charges.
b.
The hospital will be paid for the full cost of the patient’s hospitalization.
c.
Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) provide a fixed reimbursement of cost.
d.
Medicare will pay the national average for the patient’s condition.
ANS: C
In 1983, Congress established the prospective payment system (PPS), which grouped inpatient
hospital services for Medicare patients into diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), each of which provides
a fixed reimbursement amount based on assigned DRG, regardless of a patient’s length of stay or
use of services. Capitation means that providers receive a fixed amount per patient or enrollee of a
health care plan. DRG reimbursement is based on case severity, rural/urban/regional costs, and
teaching costs, not national averages.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15
OBJ: Compare the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is teaching the staff about managed care. Which information should the nurse include in
the teaching session?
a.
Managed care insures full coverage of health care costs.
b.
Managed care only assumes the financial risk involved.
c.
Managed care allows providers to focus on illness care.
d.
Managed care causes providers to focus on prevention.
ANS: D
Managed care describes health care systems in which the provider or the health care system
receives a predetermined capitated (fixed amount) payment for each patient enrolled in the program.
Therefore, the focus of care shifts from individual illness care to prevention, early intervention, and
outpatient care. The actual cost of care is the responsibility of the provider. The managed care
organization (provider) assumes financial risk, in addition to providing patient care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15
OBJ: Explain the structure of the United States health system. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is teaching a family about health care plans. Which information from the nurse indicates a
correct understanding of the Affordable Care Act?
a.
A family can choose whether to have health insurance with no consequences.
b.
Primary care physician payments from Medicaid services can equal Medicare.
c.
Adult children up to age 26 are allowed coverage on the parent’s plan.
d.
Private insurance companies can deny coverage for any reason.
ANS: C
Adult children up to the age of 26, regardless of student status, are allowed to be covered under
their parents’ health insurance plan. All individuals are required to have some form of health
insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty through the tax code. Primary care physician payments for
Medicaid services increased to equal Medicare payments. Implementation of insurance regulations
prevents private insurance companies from denying insurance coverage for any reason and from
charging higher premiums based on health status and gender.
DIF:Remember (knowledge)REF:15-16
OBJ: Explain the structure of the United States health system. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. When should the nurse begin discharge planning?
a.
When the patient is ready
b.
Close to the time of discharge
c.
Upon admission to the hospital
d.
After an order is written/prescribed
ANS: C
Discharge planning begins the moment a patient is admitted to a health care facility. When the
patient is ready may be too late. Close to the time of discharge and after an order is
written/prescribed are too late.
DIF:Remember (knowledge)REF:19
OBJ: Discuss the role of nurses in different health care delivery settings.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
5. The nurse is applying for a position with a home care organization that specializes in spinal cord
injury. In which type of health care facility does the nurse want to work?
a.
Secondary acute
b.
Continuing
c.
Restorative
d.
Tertiary
ANS: C
Patients recovering from an acute or chronic illness or disability often require additional services
(restorative care) to return to their previous level of function or reach a new level of function limited
by their illness or disability. Restorative care includes cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation,
sports medicine, spinal cord injury programs, and home care. Secondary acute care involves
emergency care, acute medical-surgical care, and radiological procedures. Continuing care involves
assisted living, psychiatric care, and older-adult day care. Tertiary care includes intensive care and
subacute care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:20
OBJ: Discuss the types of settings that provide various health care services.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
6. A nurse provides immunization to children and adults through the public health department. Which
type of health care is the nurse providing?
a.
Primary care
b.
Preventive care
c.
Restorative care
d.
Continuing care
ANS: B
Preventive care includes immunizations, screenings, counseling, crisis prevention, and community
safety legislation. Primary care is health promotion that includes prenatal and well-baby care,
nutrition counseling, family planning, and exercise classes. Restorative care includes rehabilitation,
sports medicine, spinal cord injury programs, and home care. Continuing care is assisted living and
psychiatric care and older-adult day care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:17
OBJ: Discuss the types of settings that provide various health care services.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. A nurse is following the PDSA cycle for quality improvement. Which action will the nurse take for
the letter “A”?
a.
Act
b.
Alter
c.
Assess
d.
Approach
ANS: A
There are many models for quality improvement and performance improvement. One model is the
PDSA cycle: plan, do, study, and act. “A” does not stand for alter, assess, or approach.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:27
OBJ:Describe the components of a quality improvement program.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
8. The nurse is trying to determine how well a certain health plan compares with other health plans.
To gather this type of data, which information will the nurse utilize?
a.
Pew Health Professions Commission
b.
Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS)
c.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program
d.
Hospital Consumer of Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS)
ANS: B
Health plans throughout the United States rely on the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information
Set (HEDIS) as a quality measure. HEDIS compares how well health plans perform key areas:
quality/effectiveness of care, access to care, and patient satisfaction with the health plan and
doctors. The Pew Health Professions Commission, a national and interdisciplinary group of health
care leaders, recommended 21 competencies for health care professionals in the twenty-first
century. The Hospital Consumer of Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) is
a standardized survey developed to measure patient perceptions of their hospital experience. The
Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations that achieve excellence in
nursing practice.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:24
OBJ: Explain the impact of quality and safety initiatives on delivery of health care.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
9. An older adult patient has extensive wound care needs after discharge from the hospital. Which
facility should the nurse discuss with the patient?
a.
Hospice
b.
Respite care
c.
Assisted living
d.
Skilled nursing
ANS: D
An intermediate care or skilled nursing facility offers skilled care from a licensed nursing staff. This
often includes administration of IV fluids, wound care, long-term ventilator management, and
physical rehabilitation. A hospice is a system of family-centered care that allows patients to live with
comfort, independence, and dignity while easing the pains of terminal illness. Respite care is a
service that provides short-term relief or “time off” for people providing home care to an individual
who is ill, disabled, or frail. Assisted living offers an attractive long-term care setting with an
environment more like home and greater resident autonomy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:20-21
OBJ: Discuss the types of settings that provide various health care services.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse working in a community hospital’s emergency department provides care to a patient
having chest pain. Which level of care is the nurse providing?
a.
Continuing care
b.
Restorative care
c.
Preventive care
d.
Tertiary care
ANS: D
Hospital emergency departments, urgent care centers, critical care units, and inpatient medicalsurgical units provide secondary and tertiary levels of care. Patients recovering from an acute or
chronic illness or disability often require additional services (restorative care) to return to their
previous level of function or reach a new level of function limited by their illness or disability.
Continuing care is available within institutional settings (e.g., nursing centers or nursing homes,
group homes, and retirement communities), communities (e.g., adult day care and senior centers),
or the home (e.g., home care, home-delivered meals, and hospice). Preventive care is more disease
oriented and focused on reducing and controlling risk factors for disease through activities such as
immunization and occupational health programs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:18
OBJ: Discuss the types of settings that provide various health care services.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
11. A nurse is teaching about the effects of globalization. Which information should the nurse include
in the teaching session?
a.
Increased spread of communicable diseases
b.
Increased homogeneous mix of nursing staff
c.
Decreased poverty and increased “health tourism”
d.
Decreased urbanization as populations shift to the suburbs
ANS: A
Although globalization of trade, travel, and culture has improved the availability of health care
services, the spread of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS) has become more common. In an effort to improve the quality of care, health care
institutions are recruiting nurses from around the world to work in the United States, forcing hospitals
to better understand and work with nurses from different cultures. Poverty is still deadlier than any
disease and is the most frequent reason for death in the world today. The growth of urbanization
also is currently affecting the world’s health. Improved communication, easier air travel, and easing
of trade restrictions are making it easier for people to engage in “health tourism.”
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:26
OBJ: Discuss the implications that changes in the health care system have on nursing.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
12. A nurse is using research findings to improve clinical practice. Which technique is the nurse
using?
a.
Performance improvement
b.
Integrated delivery networks
c.
Nursing-sensitive outcomes
d.
Utilization review committees
ANS: A
Performance improvement activities are typically clinical projects conceived in response to identified
clinical problems and designed to use research findings to improve clinical practice. Larger health
care systems have integrated delivery networks (IDNs) that include a network of facilities, providers,
and services organized to deliver a continuum of care to a population of patients at a capitated cost
in a particular setting. Nursing-sensitive outcomes are patient outcomes and nursing workforce
characteristics that are directly related to nursing care such as changes in patients’ symptom
experiences, functional status, safety, psychological distress, registered nurse (RN) job satisfaction,
total nursing hours per patient day, and costs. Medicare-qualified hospitals had physician-supervised
utilization review (UR) committees to review the admissions and to identify and eliminate overuse of
diagnostic and treatment services ordered by physicians caring for patients on Medicare.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:27
OBJ: Explain the relationship between evidence-based practice and performance improvement.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
13. Which finding indicates the best quality improvement process?
a.
Staff identifies the wait time in the emergency department is too long.
b.
Administration identifies the design of the facility’s lobby increases patient stress.
c.
Director of the hospital identifies the payment schedule does not pay enough for overtime.
d.
Health care providers identify the inconsistencies of some of the facility’s policy and procedures.
ANS: A
The quality improvement process begins at the staff level, where problems are defined by the staff. It
is not identified by administration, the hospital director, or health care providers.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:27
OBJ:Describe the components of a quality improvement program.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
14. A nurse is providing home care to a home-bound patient treated with intravenous (IV) therapy
and enteral nutrition. What is the home health nurse’s primary objective?
a.
Screening
b.
Education
c.
Dependence
d.
Counseling
ANS: B
Health promotion and education are traditionally the primary objectives of home care, yet at present
most patients receive home care because they need nursing care. Screening is preventive care. The
home health nurse focuses on patient and family independence. Counseling is through psychiatric
care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:20
OBJ: Discuss the role of nurses in different health care delivery settings.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
15. A nurse hears a co-worker state that anybody could be a nurse since it is so automated with
infusion devices and electronic monitoring; technology is doing the work. What is the
nurse’s best response?
a.
“Technology use has to be combined with nursing judgment.”
b.
“The focus of effective nursing care is technology.”
c.
“If it’s so easy, why don’t you do it?”
d.
“That is true in the 20th century.”
ANS: A
In many ways, technology makes work easier, but it does not replace nursing judgment. Technology
does not replace your critical eye and clinical judgment. Most importantly, it is essential to remember
that the focus of nursing care is not the machine or the technology; it is the patient. Using “why” is
not beneficial when communicating with others. Agreeing with the statement furthers
misconceptions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:26
OBJ: Explain the impact of quality and safety initiatives on delivery of health care.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
16. A nurse is completing a minimum data set. Which area is the nurse working?
a.
Nursing center
b.
Psychiatric facility
c.
Rehabilitation center
d.
Adult day care center
ANS: A
Nurses who work in a nursing center (nursing home or nursing facility) are required to complete a
minimum data set on each patient. Minimum data set is not needed for psychiatric, rehabilitation, or
adult day care centers. Patients who suffer emotional and behavioral problems such as depression,
violent behavior, and eating disorders often require special counseling and treatment in psychiatric
facilities. Rehabilitation restores a person to the fullest physical, mental, social, vocational, and
economic potential possible. Patients require rehabilitation after a physical or mental illness, injury,
or chemical addiction. Adult day care centers provide a variety of health and social services to
specific patient populations who live alone or with family in the community. Services offered during
the day allow family members to maintain their lifestyles and employment and still provide home
care for their relatives.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:21
OBJ: Explain the role of nurses in different health care delivery settings.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which government-instituted programs should the nurse include in a teaching session about
controlling health care costs? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Professional standards review organizations
b.
Prospective payment systems
c.
Diagnosis-related groups
d.
Third-party payers
e.
“Never events”
ANS: A, B, C
The federal government, the biggest consumer of health care, which pays for Medicare and
Medicaid, has created professional standards review organizations (PSROs) to review the quality,
quantity, and costs of hospital care. One of the most significant factors that influenced payment for
health care was the prospective payment system (PPS). Established by Congress in 1983, the PPS
eliminated cost-based reimbursement. Hospitals serving patients who received Medicare benefits
were no longer able to charge whatever a patient’s care cost. Instead, the PPS grouped inpatient
hospital services for Medicare patients into diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). In 2011, the National
Quality Forum (not a government facility) defined a list of 29 “never events” that are devastating and
preventable. Through most of the twentieth century, few incentives existed for controlling health care
costs. Insurers or third-party payers paid for whatever health care providers ordered for a patient’s
care and treatment.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15
OBJ: Explain the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is teaching the staff about the Institute of Medicine competencies. Which examples
indicate the staff has a correct understanding of the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Use informatics.
b.
Use transparency.
c.
Apply globalization.
d.
Apply quality improvement.
e.
Use evidence-based practice.
ANS: A, D, E
The Institute of Medicine competencies include: Provide patient-centered care; work in
interdisciplinary teams; use evidence-based practice; apply quality improvement; and use
informatics. Transparency is included in the 10 rules of performance in a redesigned health care
system, not a competency. While globalization is important in health care, it is not a competency.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:23
OBJ: Explain the impact of quality and safety initiatives on delivery of health care.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is evaluating care based upon the nursing quality indicators. Which areas should the
nurse evaluate? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Patient satisfaction level
b.
Hospital readmission rates
c.
Nursing hours per patient day
d.
Patient falls/falls with injuries
e.
Value stream analysis for quality
ANS: B, C, D
The American Nurses Association developed the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators
(NDNQI) to measure and evaluate nursing-sensitive outcomes with the purpose of improving patient
safety and quality care. Nursing quality indicators include the following: Hospital readmission rates,
nursing hours per patient day, and patient falls/falls with injuries. While every major health care
organization measures certain aspects of patient satisfaction, it is not a nursing quality indicator.
Value stream analysis is a method that focuses on improvement of processes in a health care
institution.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:25
OBJ: Discuss opportunities for nursing within the changing health care delivery system.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse is working in a health care organization that has achieved Magnet status. Which
components are indicators of this status? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Empirical quality results
b.
Structural empowerment
c.
Transformational leadership
d.
Exemplary professional practice
e.
Willingness to recommend the agency
ANS: A, B, C, D
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) established the Magnet Recognition Program to
recognize health care organizations that achieve excellence in nursing practice. The five
components are Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional
Practice; New Knowledge, Innovation, and Improvements; and Empirical Quality Results.
Willingness to recommend the hospital/agency is a component of the Hospital Consumer of
Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:24-25
OBJ: Discuss opportunities for nursing within the changing health care delivery system.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is teaching about the different types of health care plans. Match the correct information to
the type of health care plans the nurse should include in the teaching session.
a.
Insurance for low-income families
b.
Federal insurance for people aged 65 and older
c.
Health maintenance focus to specific group of voluntarily enrolled people
d.
Services at a discount for companies under contract
1. Preferred provider organization
2. Managed care organization
3. Medicaid
4. Medicare
1.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15-16
OBJ: Compare the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
2.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15-16
OBJ: Compare the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
3.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15-16
OBJ: Compare the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
4.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:15-16
OBJ: Compare the various methods for financing health care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 03: Community-Based Nursing Practice
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is working as a public health nurse. What will be the nurse’s primary focus?
a.
The individual as one member of a group
b.
Individuals and families
c.
Needs of a population
d.
Health promotion
ANS: C
Public health nursing primary focus is understanding the needs of a population. Community-based
care focuses on health promotion. Community health nursing focuses on health care of individuals,
families, and groups within the community.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:33
OBJ: Explain the relationship between public health and community health nursing.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse wants to become a specialist in public health nursing. Which educational requirement will
the nurse have to obtain?
a.
A baccalaureate degree in nursing
b.
Preparation at the basic entry level
c.
The same level of education as the community health nurse
d.
A graduate level education with a focus in public health science
ANS: D
A specialist in public health has a graduate level education with a focus in public health science.
Public health nursing requires preparation at the basic entry level and sometimes requires a
baccalaureate degree in nursing. A community health nurse is not the same thing as a public health
nursing specialist.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:33
OBJ: Explain the relationship between public health and community health nursing.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is working as a community health nurse. Which action is a priority for this nurse?
a.
Provide direct care to subpopulations.
b.
Focus on the needs of the ill individual.
c.
Provide first level of contact to health care systems.
d.
Focus on providing care in various community settings.
ANS: A
Community health nursing is nursing practice in the community, with the primary focus on the health
care of individuals, families, and groups within the community. In addition, the community health
nurse provides direct care services to subpopulations within a community. Community-based
nursing centers function as the first level of contact between members of a community and the
health care system. Community-based nursing focuses on providing care in various community
settings, such as the home or a clinic and involves acute and chronic care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:33
OBJ: Differentiate community health nursing from community-based nursing.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. A nurse is focusing on acute and chronic care of individuals and families within a community while
enhancing patient autonomy. Which type of nursing care is the nurse providing?
a.
Public health
b.
Community health
c.
Community-based
d.
Community assessment
ANS: C
Community-based nursing involves acute and chronic care of individuals and families and enhances
their capacity for self-care while promoting autonomy in decision making. Public health nursing
focuses on the needs of a population. Community health nursing cares for the community as a whole
and considers the individual or the family as only one member of a group at risk. Community
assessment is the systematic data collection on the population, monitoring the health status of the
population, and making information available about the health of the community.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:33
OBJ: Differentiate community health nursing from community-based nursing.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
5. The community health nurse is administering flu shots to children at a local playground. What is
the rationale for this nurse’s action?
a.
To prevent individual illness
b.
To prevent community outbreak of illness
c.
To prevent outbreak of illness in the family
d.
To prevent needs of the local population groups
ANS: B
The nurse is trying to prevent a community outbreak of illness. By focusing on subpopulations
(children), the community health nurse cares for the community as a whole and considers the
individual or the family as only one member of a group at risk. Community-based nursing, as
opposed to community health nursing, focuses on the needs of the individual or family. Public health
nursing focuses on meeting the population groups’ needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:33
OBJ: Discuss the role of the community health nurse. TOP: Planning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse attended a seminar on community-based health care. Which information indicates the
nurse has a good understanding of community-based health care?
a.
It occurs in hospitals.
b.
Its focus is on ill individuals.
c.
Its priority is health promotion.
d.
It provides services primarily to the poor.
ANS: C
Community-based health care is a model of care that reaches everyone in the community (including
the poor and underinsured), focuses on primary rather than institutional or acute care, and provides
knowledge about health and health promotion and models of care to the community. Communitybased health care occurs outside traditional health care institutions such as hospitals.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:31
OBJ: Explain the relationship between public health and community health nursing.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. A nurse is using the Healthy People 2020 to establish goals for the community. Which goal
is priority?
a.
Reduce health care costs.
b.
Increase life expectancy.
c.
Provide services close to where patients live.
d.
Isolate patients to prevent the spread of disease.
ANS: B
The overall goals of Healthy People 2020 are to increase life expectancy and quality of life and
eliminate health disparities through an improved delivery of health care services. It does not focus on
reducing health care costs, providing services close to where patients live, or isolating patients to
prevent the spread of disease.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:31
OBJ:Discuss the role of the nurse in community-based practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. A nurse is working in community-based nursing. Which competency is priority for this nurse?
a.
Caregiver
b.
Collaborator
c.
Change agent
d.
Case manager
ANS: A
First and foremost is the role of caregiver. While collaborator, change agent, and case manager are
important, they are not the priority.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:35
OBJ: Describe the competencies important for success in community-based nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse observes an outbreak of lice in a certain school district. The nurse collects data and
identifies a common practice of sharing lockers, caps, and hair brushes. The nurse shares the
information with the school. Which community-based nursing competency did the nurse use?
a.
Educator
b.
Caregiver
c.
Case manager
d.
Epidemiologist
ANS: D
As an epidemiologist, you are involved in case finding, health teaching, and tracking incident rates of
an illness (outbreak of lice). The nurse did not teach the students about lice. The nurse did not
provide care for the lice. The nurse did not coordinate needed resources and services for a group of
patient’s well-being (case manager).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:37
OBJ: Describe the competencies important for success in community-based nursing practice.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
10. A nurse is providing screening at a health fair. Which finding indicates the person may be a
vulnerable patient who is most likely to develop health problems?
a.
One who is pregnant
b.
One who has excessive risks
c.
One who has unlimited access to health care
d.
One who uses nontraditional healing practices
ANS: B
Vulnerable populations are the patients who are more likely to develop health problems as a result of
excess risks or limits in access to health care services or who are dependent on others for care.
Pregnancy is not a cause of vulnerability, except in cases where the mother is an adolescent, is
addicted to drugs, or is at high risk for other reasons. A person who has unlimited access to health
care is not vulnerable. Frequently, the immigrant population practices nontraditional healing
practices. Many of these healing practices are effective and complement traditional therapies.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:34
OBJ: Identify characteristics of patients from vulnerable populations that influence the communitybased nurse’s approach to care. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. The instructor is teaching student nurses about identifying members of vulnerable populations
when the nursing student asks, “Why is it that not all poor people are considered members of
vulnerable populations?” How should the nurse respond?
a.
“All poor people are members of a vulnerable population.”
b.
“Poor people are members of a vulnerable population only if they take drugs.”
c.
“Poor people are members of a vulnerable population only if they are homeless.”
d.
“Members of vulnerable groups frequently have a combination of risk factors.”
ANS: D
Members of vulnerable groups frequently have many risks or a combination of risk factors that make
them more sensitive to the negative effects of individual risk factors. Individual risk factors are not
always overwhelming, depending on the patient’s beliefs and values and sources of social support.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:34
OBJ: Identify characteristics of patients from vulnerable populations that influence the communitybased nurse’s approach to care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. The nurse is making a home visit to a Korean mother after the birth of girl. The spouse is
pressing different parts of the patient’s hand and lower arm to relieve a headache. What is the
nurse’s next action?
a.
Tell the spouse to stop and give the mother acetaminophen.
b.
Let the spouse finish and then give the mother medication.
c.
Ask the mother and/or spouse to explain the procedure.
d.
Explain to the spouse that it will not work.
ANS: C
The nurse should not judge the patient’s/family’s beliefs and values about health. The nurse needs
to understand cultural beliefs, values, and practices to determine their specific needs.
Acetaminophen may not be an acceptable alternative for this family. Criticizing the family’s beliefs
and practices or saying they will not work may only create a barrier to care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:34
OBJ: Identify characteristics of patients from vulnerable populations that influence the communitybased nurse’s approach to care. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. A nurse is assessing the social system of a community. Which area should the nurse assess?
a.
Housing
b.
Economic status
c.
Volunteer programs
d.
Predominant ethnic groups
ANS: C
Social systems include volunteer programs, education system, government, and health systems.
Housing and economic status are included in the structure assessment. Predominant ethnic groups
are a component of the population assessment.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:37-38
OBJ: Describe elements of a community assessment. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
14. The nurse is working with a 16-year-old pregnant female who tells the nurse that she needs an
abortion. The nurse, acting as a counselor, provides the patient with information on alternatives to
abortion, but after several sessions, the patient still insists on having the abortion. What should the
nurse, in the counselor role, do next?
a.
Encourage the patient to speak with a “Right-to-Life” advocate.
b.
Refuse to provide a referral to an abortion service.
c.
Provide referral to an abortion service.
d.
Delay referral to an abortion service.
ANS: C
As a counselor, the nurse is responsible for providing information, listening objectively, and being
supportive, caring, and trustworthy and providing a referral to an abortion service. The nurse does
not make decisions, like going to a “Right-to-Life” advocate, but rather helps the patient reach
decisions that are best for him or her. To refuse to provide a referral or to delay referral would not be
supportive of the patient’s decision.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:37
OBJ: Describe the competencies important for success in community-based nursing practice.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. Before a patient with beginning stage of Alzheimer’s disease is discharged, the communitybased nurse is making a visit to the patient’s home. The patient’s daughter and family live in the
home with the patient. What is the major focus of this visit?
a.
Teach the family how to monitor blood pressure.
b.
Demonstrate techniques for providing care.
c.
Stress to the family how difficult it will be to provide care at home.
d.
Encourage the family to send the patient to an extended care facility.
ANS: B
The role of the community health nurse, when dealing with patients with Alzheimer’s disease, is to
maintain the best possible functioning, protection, and safety for the patient. The nurse should
demonstrate to the primary family caregiver techniques for dressing, feeding, and toileting the
patient while providing encouragement and emotional support to the caregiver. Monitoring blood
pressure is not necessary for an Alzheimer’s patient; blood pressure would be for a patient with
hypertension. The nurse should protect the patient’s rights and maintain family stability, not
encourage placement in an extended care facility.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:36
OBJ: Describe the competencies important for success in community-based nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
16. While conducting a community assessment, the nurse seeks data on the average household
income and the number of residents on public assistance. In doing so, the nurse is evaluating which
component of a community assessment?
a.
Structure
b.
Population
c.
Social system
d.
Welfare system
ANS: A
Economic status is part of the community structure. Population would involve age and gender
distribution, growth trends, density, education level, and ethnic or religious groups. The welfare
system is part of the social system that also includes the education, government, communication,
and health systems.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:38
OBJ: Describe elements of a community assessment. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. The nurse uses statistics on increased incidence of communicable disease to influence
legislatures to pass a bill for mandatory vaccinations to enroll in school. Which type of nursing will
the nurse use in this process?
a.
Public health nursing
b.
Community-based nursing
c.
Community health nursing
d.
Vulnerable population nursing
ANS: A
A public health nurse understands factors that influence health promotion and health maintenance,
the trends and patterns influencing the incidence of disease within populations, environmental
factors contributing to health and illness, and the political processes used to affect public policy.
Community health nursing is nursing practice in the community, with the primary focus on the health
care of individuals, families, and groups within the community. Community-based nursing care takes
place in community settings such as the home or a clinic, where the focus is on the needs of the
individual or family. While there is no specific vulnerable population nursing, all types of nursing
should care for these populations.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:33
OBJ: Explain the relationship between public health and community health nursing.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A community-based nursing is working with a family. For which key areas will the nurse need a
strong knowledge base? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Family theory
b.
Communication
c.
Group dynamics
d.
Cultural diversity
e.
Individual-centered care
ANS: A, B, C, D
With the individual and family as the patients, the context of community-based nursing is familycentered care (not individual-centered care) within the community. This focus requires a strong
knowledge base in family theory, principles of communication, group dynamics, and cultural
diversity. The nurse leans to partner with patients and families, not just with individuals.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:34
OBJ:Discuss the role of the nurse in community-based practice.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. Which community-based nursing activities indicate the nurse is working in the role of educator?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Offers prenatal classes
b.
Offers a child safety program
c.
Offers to defend patients’ decisions
d.
Offers creative solutions to local problems
e.
Offers coordinate resources after discharge
ANS: A, B
Prenatal classes, infant care, child safety, and cancer screening are just some of the health
education programs provided in a community practice setting. Offers to defend patients’ decisions is
the role of patient advocate. Offers creative solutions to local problems indicates a change agent.
Collaborator will offer to coordinate resources after discharge.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:37
OBJ: Describe the competencies important for success in community-based nursing practice.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse is caring for vulnerable populations in a local community. Which patients will the nurse
care for in this community? (Select all that apply.)
a.
A 47-year-old immigrant who speaks only Spanish
b.
A 35-year-old living in own home
c.
A 22-year-old pregnant woman
d.
A 40-year-old schizophrenic
e.
A 15-year-old rape victim
ANS: A, D, E
Individuals living in poverty, older adults, people who are homeless, immigrant populations,
individuals in abusive relationships (rape), substance abusers, and people with severe mental
illnesses (schizophrenic) are examples of vulnerable populations. Middle-aged people living in their
own home are not an example of a vulnerable population. Pregnancy is not an example of a
vulnerable population.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:34-35
OBJ: Identify characteristics of patients from vulnerable populations that influence the communitybased nurse’s approach to care. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MATCHING
A nurse is assessing a community. Match each community element the nurse will assess with the
correct example.
a.
Education level
b.
Housing
c.
Government
1. Structure
2. Population
3. Social system
1.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:38
OBJ: Describe elements of a community assessment. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:38
OBJ: Describe elements of a community assessment. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:38
OBJ: Describe elements of a community assessment. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 04: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
Practice
Chapter 04: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nursing instructor is teaching a class on nursing theory. One of the students asks, “Why do
we need to know this stuff? It doesn’t really affect patients.” What is the instructor’s bestresponse?
a.
“You are correct, but we have to learn it anyway.”
b.
“This keeps the focus of nursing narrow.”
c.
“Theories help explain why nurses do what they do.”
d.
“Exposure to theories will help you later in graduate school.”
ANS: C
Theories offer well-grounded rationales for how and why nurses perform specific interventions and
for predicting and/or prescribing nursing care measures. Although nursing theory will help the nurse
in graduate school, it is also an important basis for the nurse’s approach to daily patient care, and it
expands scientific knowledge of the profession.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:41
OBJ: Explain the influence of nursing theory on a nurse’s approach to practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who does not follow the prescribed regimen for diabetes
management. As a prescriber to Orem’s theory, the nurse interviews the patient in an attempt to
identify the cause of the patient’s “noncompliance.” What is the rationale for the nurse’s behavior?
a.
Orem’s theory is useful in designing interventions to promote self-care.
b.
Orem’s theory focuses on cultural issues that may affect compliance.
c.
Orem’s theory allows for reduction of anxiety with communication.
d.
Orem’s theory helps nurses manipulate the patient’s environment.
ANS: A
When applying Orem’s theory, a nurse continually assesses a patient’s ability to perform self-care
and intervenes as needed to ensure that the patients meet physical, psychological, sociological, and
developmental needs. According to Orem, people who participate in self-care activities are more
likely to improve their health outcomes. Leiniger’s culture care theory focuses on culture diversity
and provides culturally specific nursing care. According to Peplau, nurses help patients reduce
anxiety by converting it into constructive actions, using therapeutic communication. Nightingale’s
grand theory is a patient’s environment can be manipulated by nurses to restore a patient to health.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:47-48
OBJ: Explain the influence of nursing theory on a nurse’s approach to practice.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is testing meditation for migraine headaches and the expected outcome of care when
performing this intervention. Which type of theory is the nurse using?
a.
Grand
b.
Prescriptive
c.
Descriptive
d.
Middle-range
ANS: B
A prescriptive theory details nursing interventions (meditation) for a specific phenomenon (migraine
headaches) and the expected outcome of the care. Grand theories are broad in scope and complex
and require further specification through research; it does not provide guidance for specific nursing
interventions. Descriptive theories do not direct specific nursing activities but help to explain patient
assessment. A middle-range theory tends to focus on a concept found in a specific field of nursing,
such as uncertainty, incontinence, social support, quality of life, and caring, rather than reflect on a
wide variety of nursing care situations.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:44
OBJ:Describe types of nursing theories.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse researcher is evaluating whether holding pressure at an injection site after injecting the
anticoagulant enoxaparin will reduce bruising at the injection site. This study involves a prescriptive
theory. What is the nurse’s rationale for involving a prescriptive theory?
a.
It explains why bruising occurs.
b.
It is broad in scope and complex.
c.
It tests a specific nursing intervention.
d.
It reflects a wide variety of nursing care situations.
ANS: C
Prescriptive theories detail nursing interventions for a specific phenomenon and the expected
outcome of the care but it does not explain why. Grand theories are broad in scope and complex and
focus on a wide variety of nursing care situations.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:44
OBJ: Describe types of nursing theories. TOP: Planning MSC: Management of Care
5. A nurse is using nursing theory and the nursing process simultaneously to plan nursing care. How
will the nurse use nursing theory and the nursing process in practice?
a.
Nursing theory can direct how a nurse uses the nursing process.
b.
Nursing theory requires the nursing process to develop knowledge.
c.
Nursing theory with the nursing process has a minor role in professional nursing.
d.
Nursing theory combined with the nursing process is specific to certain ill patients.
ANS: A
Nursing theory can direct how a nurse uses the nursing process. Integration of theory into practice
(nursing process) serves as the basis for professional nursing. The nursing process provides a
systematic process for the delivery of care, not the knowledge component of the discipline. Useful
theories are adaptable to different patients and to all care settings.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:44-45
OBJ: Describe the relationship among nursing theory, the nursing process, and patient needs.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
6. The nurse views the patient as an open system that needs help in coping with stressors. Which
theorist is the nurse using?
a.
King
b.
Levine
c.
Neuman
d.
Johnson
ANS: C
Neuman views a patient as being an open system that is in constant energy exchange with the
environment that the nurse must help cope with stressors. King views a patient as a unique personal
system that is constantly interacting/transacting with other systems that the nurse helps with goal
attainment. Levine believes nurses promote balance between nursing interventions and patient
participation to assist in conserving energy needed for healing. Johnson perceives patients as a
collection of subsystems that forms an overall behavioral system focusing on balance.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected nursing theories. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
7. The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with essential hypertension. The health care provider
prescribes blood pressure medication that the nurse administers. The nurse then monitors the
patient’s blood pressure for several days to help determine effectiveness. Which system component
is the nurse evaluating?
a.
Input
b.
Output
c.
Content
d.
Feedback
ANS: B
Output is the end product of a system and, in the case of the nursing process, it is defined as
whether the patient’s health status improves or remains stable as a result of nursing care. Input
consists of the data that come from a patient’s assessment. Feedback serves to inform a system
about how it functions. Content is the product and information obtained from the system.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:45
OBJ: Review selected shared theories from other disciplines. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
8. A patient is admitted with possible methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and is
placed in isolation until cultures can be obtained and declared noninfectious. During the isolation
process, the nurse encourages family visits. Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is the nurse
promoting when the family is encouraged to visit?
a.
First level
b.
Second level
c.
Third level
d.
Fourth level
ANS: C
The third level contains love and belonging needs, including family and friends. The first level
includes physiological needs. The second level includes safety and security needs. The fourth level
encompasses esteem and self-esteem needs. The fifth and final level is the need for selfactualization.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected shared theories from other disciplines. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. A nurse is caring for pediatric patients and using the developmental theory to plan nursing care.
What is the focus of this nurse’s care?
a.
Humans have an orderly, predictive process of growth and development.
b.
Humans respond to threats by adapting with growth and development.
c.
Humans respond with cognitive principles for growth and development.
d.
Humans have psychosocial domains to growth and development.
ANS: A
With development theory, human growth and development is an orderly predictive process that
begins with conception and continues through death. Stress/adaptation theories describe how
humans respond to threats by adapting in order to maintain function and life. Educational theories
explain the teaching-learning process by examining behavioral, cognitive, and adult-learning
principles. Psychosocial theories explain human responses within the physiological, psychological,
sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual domains.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected shared theories from other disciplines. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. Upon assessment, the nurse notices that the patient’s respirations have increased, and the tip of
the nose and earlobes are becoming cyanotic. The nurse finds that the patient’s pulse rate is over
100 beats per minute. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which patient need should the
nurse address first?
a.
Self-esteem
b.
Physiological
c.
Self-actualization
d.
Love and belonging
ANS: B
Maslow’s hierarchy is useful in setting patient priorities. Basic physiological and safety needs are
usually the first priority. After the physiological and safety needs are met, the nurse can move to love
and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected shared theories from other disciplines. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
11. Which behavior from a nurse indicates the nurse is using Nightingale’s theory to plan nursing
care?
a.
Knows all about the disease processes affecting patients
b.
Focuses on medication administration and treatments
c.
Thinks about the patients and patients’ environments
d.
Considers nursing knowledge and medicine the same
ANS: C
Nightingale’s theory provides nurses with a way to think about patients and their environment.
Nightingale’s concept of the environment was the focus of nursing care, and her firm conviction was
that nursing knowledge is distinct from medical knowledge. Nightingale did not view nursing as
limited to the administration of medications and treatments.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:44- 45
OBJ: Review selected nursing theories. TOP: Planning MSC: Management of Care
12. The home health nurse listens to the patient’s concerns about having “open-heart” surgery. The
nurse explains the different surgical procedures and other options, like cardiac rehabilitation. After
several visits, the patient wants cardiac rehabilitation. The nurse notifies the health care provider and
sets up a referral. Which theory is the nurse using?
a.
Peplau’s theory
b.
Henderson’s theory
c.
Nightingale’s theory
d.
Orem’s self-care deficit theory
ANS: A
Peplau’s theory focuses on the individual, the nurse, and the interactive process or nurse-patient
relationship. The nurse serves as a resource person, counselor, and surrogate. Henderson’s theory
focuses on helping the patient with activities that the patient would perform unaided if he or she were
able. Nightingale viewed nursing not as limited to the administration of medications and treatments
but rather as oriented toward providing fresh air, light, warmth, cleanliness, quiet, and adequate
nutrition. The goal of Orem’s theory is to help the patient perform self-care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:45
OBJ:Review selected nursing theories.TOP:Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. The nurse is caring for a patient who is actively bleeding. The health care provider prescribes
blood transfusions. The patient is a Jehovah’s Witness and does not want blood products. The nurse
contacts the health care provider to request alternative treatment. Which theory is the nurse using?
a.
Roy’s theory
b.
Leininger’s theory
c.
Watson’s theory
d.
Orem’s theory
ANS: B
The goal of Leininger’s theory is to provide the patient with culturally specific nursing care that
integrates the patient’s cultural traditions, values, and beliefs into the plan of care. The goal of Roy’s
model is to help the person adapt to changes in physiological needs, self-concept, role function, and
interdependence domains. Watson’s theory believes that the purpose of nursing action is to
understand the interrelationship between health, illness, and human behavior. The goal of Orem’s
theory is to help the patient perform self-care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:48
OBJ:Review selected nursing theories.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
14. The patient is terminally ill and is receiving hospice care. The nurse cares for the patient by
bathing, shaving, and repositioning him. The patient would like a Catholic priest called to provide the
Sacrament of the Sick. The nurse places a call and arranges for the priest’s visit. Which theory does
this nurse’s care represent?
a.
Roy’s theory
b.
Watson’s theory
c.
Henderson’s theory
d.
Orem’s self-care deficit theory
ANS: C
Henderson defines nursing as assisting the patient with 14 activities (hygiene, positioning) until
patients can meet these needs for themselves—or assist patients to have a peaceful death. Roy’s
model is to help the person adapt to changes in physiological needs, self-concept, role function, and
interdependence domains. Watson’s theory believes that the purpose of nursing is to understand the
interrelationship between health, illness, and human behavior. The goal of Orem’s theory is to help
the patient perform self-care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected nursing theories. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
15. The patient is newly diagnosed with diabetes and will be discharged in the next day or so. The
nurse is teaching the patient how to draw up and self-administer insulin. Which nursing theory is the
nurse utilizing?
a.
Watson’s theory
b.
Orem’s theory
c.
Roger’s theory
d.
Henderson’s theory
ANS: B
The goal of Orem’s theory is to help the patient perform self-care. In Watson’s theory, the nurse is
concerned with promoting and restoring health and preventing illness. Roger’s theory considers
caring as a fundamental component of professional nursing practice and is based upon 10 curative
factors. Henderson defines nursing as assisting patients with 14 activities until patients can meet
these needs for themselves.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:47-48
OBJ:Review selected nursing theories.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. A nurse is conducting research about the needs of depressed patients. The nurse writes the
following: Depression is a patient reporting a score above 7 on the Hamilton Depression Rating
Scale. What did the nurse write?
a.
Operational definition
b.
Conceptual definition
c.
Paradigm
d.
Concept
ANS: A
Operational definitions state how concepts are measured (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale).
Theoretical or conceptual definitions simply define a particular concept, much like what can be found
in a dictionary, based on the theorist’s perspective (a mood disorder causing severe sadness and
apathy). A paradigm is a pattern of beliefs used to describe a discipline’s domain. Think of concepts
as ideas and mental images, like depression is a concept.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:42
OBJ: Describe theory-based nursing practice. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
17. Which action indicates the nurse is using the nursing process in patient care?
a.
Generates nursing knowledge for use in nursing practice.
b.
Conceptualizes an aspect of nursing to predict nursing care.
c.
Develops nursing care as a specific, distinct phenomenon.
d.
Delivers nursing care using a systematic approach.
ANS: D
The nursing process provides a systematic approach for the delivery of nursing care. Theory
generates nursing knowledge for use in practice; the nursing process is not a theory. A nursing
theory conceptualizes an aspect of nursing to describe, explain, predict, or prescribe nursing care.
An interdisciplinary theory explains a phenomenon specific to the discipline that developed the
theory.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:44
OBJ: Describe the relationship among nursing theory, the nursing process, and patient needs.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
18. A nurse is using theoretical knowledge in nursing practice to provide patient care. Which nursing
behavior is an example of theoretical knowledge?
a.
Reads about different concepts
b.
Reflects on clinical experiences
c.
Combines the art and science of nursing
d.
Creates a narrow understanding of nursing practice
ANS: A
Theoretical knowledge is acquired through “reading, observing, or discussing” concepts. The goals
of theoretical knowledge are to stimulate thinking and create a broad understanding of nursing
science and practices. Experiential, or clinical, knowledge is formed from nurses’ clinical
experiences. Both types of knowledge are needed in order to provide safe, comprehensive nursing
care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:48
OBJ: Describe theory-based nursing practice. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
19. A nurse is using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to prioritize care. Place the levels in order of basic
priority to highest priority that the nurse will follow.
1. Physiological
2. Self-esteem
3. Self-actualization
4. Safety and security
5. Love and belonging
a.
4, 1, 2, 3, 5
b.
1, 4, 5, 3, 2
c.
4, 5, 3, 2, 1
d.
1, 4, 5, 2, 3
ANS: D
Maslow’s hierarchy is as follows: physiological, safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem,
and self-actualization.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected shared theories from other disciplines. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is using a nursing metaparadigm to define nursing. Which concepts will the nurse
include? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Person
b.
Disease
c.
Health
d.
Nursing
e.
Environment
ANS: A, C, D, E
Nursing’s metaparadigm includes four concepts: person, health, environment/situation, and nursing.
Disease is not part of nursing’s metaparadigm.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:42-43
OBJ: Explain the influence of nursing theory on a nurse’s approach to practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse wants to incorporate psychosocial theories into nursing practice. Which elements will the
nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Physiological needs of the patient
b.
Psychological needs of the patient
c.
Sociocultural needs of the patient
d.
Cognitive needs of the patient
e.
Spiritual needs of the patient
ANS: A, B, C, E
When nursing incorporates psychosocial theories into nursing practice, the nurse strives to meet the
physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental, and spiritual needs of patients. Cognitive
needs of the patient are included in educational theories.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:46
OBJ: Review selected shared theories from other disciplines. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 05: Evidence-Based Practice
Chapter 05: Evidence-Based Practice
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse uses evidence-based practice (EBP) to provide nursing care. What is the bestrationale
for the nurse’s behavior?
a.
EBP is a guide for nurses in making clinical decisions.
b.
EBP is based on the latest textbook information.
c.
EBP is easily attained at the bedside.
d.
EBP is always right for all situations.
ANS: A
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a guide for nurses to structure how to make appropriate, timely,
and effective clinical decisions. A textbook relies on the scientific literature, which may be outdated
by the time the book is published. Unfortunately, much of the best evidence never reaches the
bedside. EBP is not to be blindly applied without using good judgment and critical thinking skills.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:52
OBJ: Discuss the benefits of evidence-based practice. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
2. In caring for patients, what must the nurse remember about evidence-based practice (EBP)?
a.
EBP is the only valid source of knowledge that should be used.
b.
EBP is secondary to traditional or convenient care knowledge.
c.
EBP is dependent on patient values and expectations.
d.
EBP is not shown to provide better patient outcomes.
ANS: C
Even when the best evidence available is used, application and outcomes will differ based on patient
values, preferences, concerns, and/or expectations. Nurses often care for patients on the basis of
tradition or convenience. Although these sources have value, it is important to learn to rely more on
research evidence than on nonresearch evidence. Evidence-based care improves quality, safety,
patient outcomes, and nurse satisfaction while reducing costs.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:53
OBJ: Discuss the benefits of evidence-based practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse wants to change a patient procedure. Which action will the nurse take to easily find
research evidence to support this change?
a.
Read all the articles found on the Internet.
b.
Make a general search of the Internet.
c.
Use a PICOT format for the search.
d.
Start with a broad question.
ANS: C
The more focused the question is, the easier it becomes to search for evidence in the scientific
literature. The PICO format allows the nurse to ask focused questions that are intervention based.
Inappropriately formed questions (general search or broad question) will likely lead to irrelevant
sources of information. It is not beneficial to read hundreds of articles. It is more beneficial to read
the best four to six articles that specifically address the question.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:54
OBJ: Describe the steps of evidence-based practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse has collected several research findings for evidence-based practice. Which article will be
the best for the nurse to use?
a.
An article that uses randomized controlled trials (RCT)
b.
An article that is an opinion of expert committees
c.
An article that uses qualitative research
d.
An article that is peer-reviewed
ANS: A
Individual RCTs are the highest level of evidence or “gold standard” for research. A peer-reviewed
article means that a panel of experts has reviewed the article; this is not a research method.
Qualitative research is valuable in identifying information about how patients cope with or manage
various health problems and their perceptions of illness. It does not usually have the robustness of
an RCT. Expert opinion is on the bottom of the hierarchical pyramid of evidence.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:55-56
OBJ: Explain the levels of evidence available in the literature. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
5. The nurse is reviewing a research article on a patient care topic. Which area should entice the
nurse to read the article?
a.
Literature review
b.
Introduction
c.
Methods
d.
Results
ANS: B
The introduction contains information about its purpose and the importance of the topic to the
audience who reads the article. The literature review or background offers a detailed background of
the level of science or clinical information about the topic of the article. The methods or design
section explains how a research study was organized and conducted. The results or conclusion
section details the results of the study and explains whether a hypothesis is supported.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:56
OBJ:Describe the steps of evidence-based practice.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with chronic low back pain. The nurse wants to determine the
best evidence-based practice regarding clinical guidelines for low back pain. What is
the best database for the nurse to access?
a.
MEDLINE
b.
EMBASE
c.
PsycINFO
d.
AHRQ
ANS: D
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) includes clinical guidelines and evidence
summaries. MEDLINE includes studies in medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychiatry, veterinary
medicine, and allied health. EMBASE includes biomedical and pharmaceutical studies. PsycINFO
deals with psychology and related health care disciplines.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:55
OBJ: Describe the steps of evidence-based practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
7. A nurse writes the following PICOT question: How do patients with breast cancer rate their quality
of life? How should the nurse evaluate this question?
a.
A true PICOT question regardless of the number of elements
b.
A true PICOT question because the intervention comes before the control
c.
Not a true PICOT question because the comparison comes after the intervention
d.
Not a true PICOT question because the time is not designated
ANS: A
A meaningful PICOT question can contain only a P and O: How do patients with breast cancer (P)
rate their quality of life (O)? Note that a well-designed PICOT question does not have to follow the
sequence of P, I, C, O, and T. The aim is to ask a question that contains as many of the PICOT
elements as possible.
DIF: Analyze (analysis) REF: 54 OBJ: Develop a PICOT question.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
8. A nurse is reviewing literature for an evidence-based practice study. Which study should the nurse
use for the most reliable level of evidence that uses statistics to show effectiveness?
a.
Meta-analysis
b.
Systematic review
c.
Single random controlled trial
d.
Control trial without randomization
ANS: A
The main difference is that in a meta-analysis the researcher uses statistics to show the effect of an
intervention on an outcome. In a systematic review no statistics are used to draw conclusions about
the evidence. A single random controlled trial (RCT) is not as conclusive as a review of several
RCTs on the same question. Control trials without randomization may involve bias in how the study
is conducted.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:55
OBJ: Explain the levels of evidence available in the literature. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse is reviewing research studies for evidence-based practice. Which article should the nurse
use for qualitative nursing research?
a.
An article about the number of falls after use of no side rails
b.
An article about infection rates after use of a new wound dressing
c.
An article about the percentage of new admissions on a new floor
d.
An article about emotional needs of dying patients and their families
ANS: D
Studying emotional needs is a qualitative study. Qualitative nursing research is the study of
phenomena that are difficult to quantify or categorize, such as patients’ perceptions of illness. The
number of falls, infection rates, and percentages of new admissions are all examples of quantitative
research.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:60
OBJ: Explain how nursing research improves nursing practice. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse develops the following PICOT question: Do patients who listen to music achieve better
control of their anxiety and pain after surgery when compared with patients who receive standard
nursing care following surgery? Which information will the nurse use as the “C”?
a.
After surgery
b.
Who listen to music
c.
Who receive standard nursing care
d.
Achieve better control of their anxiety and pain
ANS: C
Do patients (P) who listen to music (I) achieve better control of their anxiety and pain (O) after
surgery (T) when compared with patients who receive standard nursing care following surgery (C)?
DIF: Understand (comprehension) REF: 54 OBJ: Develop a PICOT question.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
11. The nurse uses a PICOT question to develop an evidence-based change in protocol for a certain
nursing procedure. However, to make these changes throughout the entire institution would require
more evidence than is available at this time. What is the nurse’s best option?
a.
Conduct a pilot study to investigate findings.
b.
Drop the idea of making the change at this time.
c.
Insist that management hire the needed staff to facilitate the change.
d.
Seek employment in another institution that may have the staff needed.
ANS: A
When evidence is not strong enough to apply in practice, the next option is to conduct a pilot study
to investigate the PICOT question. Dropping the idea would be counterproductive; insisting that
management hire staff could be seen as a mandate and could produce negative results. Seeking
employment at another institution most likely would not be the answer because most institutions
operate under similar established guidelines.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:57
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply evidence in practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
12. The nurse is trying to identify common general themes relative to the effectiveness of cardiac
rehabilitation from patients who have had heart attacks and have gone through cardiac rehabilitation
programs. The nurse conducts interviews and focus groups. Which type of research is the nurse
conducting?
a.
Nonexperimental research
b.
Experimental research
c.
Qualitative research
d.
Evaluation research
ANS: C
Qualitative research involves using inductive reasoning to develop generalizations or theories from
specific observations or interviews. Evaluation and experimental research are forms of quantitative
research. Nonexperimental descriptive studies describe, explain, or predict phenomena such as
factors that lead to an adolescent’s decision to smoke cigarettes.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:60
OBJ: Explain how nursing research improves nursing practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
13. In conducting a research study, the nurse researcher guarantees the subject no information will
be reported in any manner that will identify the subject and only the research team will have access
to the information. Which concept is the nurse researcher fulfilling?
a.
Bias
b.
Confidentiality
c.
Informed consent
d.
The research process
ANS: B
Confidentiality guarantees that any information the subject provides will not be reported in any
manner that identifies the subject and will not be accessible to people outside the research team.
Biases are opinions that may influence the results of research. Informed consent means that
research subjects (1) are given full and complete information about the purpose of the study,
procedures, data collection, potential harm and benefits, and alternative methods of treatment; (2)
are capable of fully understanding the research; (3) have the power to voluntarily consent or decline
participation; and (4) understand how confidentiality or anonymity is maintained. The research
process is a broader concept that provides an orderly series of steps that allow the researcher to
move from asking a question to finding the answer.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:61
OBJ: Discuss the steps of the research process. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
14. The nurse researcher is preparing to publish the findings and is preparing to add the limitations
to the manuscript. Which area of the manuscript will the nurse researcher add this information?
a.
Abstract
b.
Conclusion
c.
Study design
d.
Clinical implications
ANS: B
During results or conclusions, the researcher interprets the findings of the study, including
limitations. An abstract summarizes the purpose of the article with major findings. Study design
involves selection of research methods and type of study conducted. The researcher explains how to
apply findings in a practice setting for the type of subjects studied in the clinical implications section.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:56
OBJ: Discuss the steps of the research process. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
15. A nurse is trying to decrease the rate of falls on the unit. After reviewing the literature, a strategy
is implemented on the unit. After 3 months, the nurse finds that the falls have decreased. Which
process did the nurse institute?
a.
Performance improvement
b.
Peer-reviewed project
c.
Generalizability study
d.
Qualitative research
ANS: A
Performance improvement focuses on performance issues like falls or pressure ulcer incidence. A
peer-reviewed article is reviewed for accuracy, validity, and rigor and approved for publication by
experts before it is published. Generalizability is not a study/research; it is if the results of a study
can be compared to other patients with similar experiences. This is a quantitative study, not a
qualitative study.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:57
OBJ: Explain the relationship between evidence-based practice and performance improvement.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
16. A nurse identifies a clinical problem with pressure ulcers. Which step should the nurse take next
in the research process?
a.
Analyze results.
b.
Conduct the study.
c.
Determine method.
d.
Develop a hypothesis.
ANS: D
After identifying an area of interest or clinical problem, the steps of the research process are as
follows: Develop research question(s)/hypotheses; determine how the study will be conducted;
conduct the study; and analyze results of the study.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:61
OBJ: Discuss the steps of the research process. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
17. After reviewing the literature, the evidence-based practice committee institutes a practice change
that bedrails should be left in the down position and hourly nursing rounds should be conducted. The
results indicate over a 40% reduction in falls. What is the committee’s next step?
a.
Evaluate the changes in 1 month.
b.
Implement the changes as a pilot study.
c.
Wait a month before implementing the changes.
d.
Communicate to staff the results of this project.
ANS: D
The last step of evidence-based practice (EBP) is to share the outcomes of EBP changes with
others. Changes must be evaluated before the outcomes are shared. Once communicated, changes
should be put in place as the committee deems reasonable (i.e., either hospital wide or as a pilot
study). Waiting should not be an option unless the results are not to the committee’s liking.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:57
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply evidence in practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
18. A nurse is developing a care delivery outcomes research project. Which population will the nurse
study?
a.
Nurses
b.
Patients
c.
Administrators
d.
Health care providers
ANS: B
Similar to the expected outcomes you develop in a plan of care, a care delivery outcome focuses on
the recipients of service (e.g., patient, family, or community) and not the providers (e.g., nurse or
physician/health care provider). Administrators are not recipients of service.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:58
OBJ: Explain how nursing research improves nursing practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
19. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based practice project regarding infection rates. After
reviewing research literature, which other evidence should the nurse review?
a.
Quality improvement data
b.
Inductive reasoning data
c.
Informed consent data
d.
Biased data
ANS: A
When implementing an evidence-based practice project, it is important to first review evidence from
appropriate research and quality improvement data. Inductive reasoning is used to develop
generalizations or theories from specific observations; this study needs specifics. Informed consent
is not data but a process and form that subjects must sign before participating in research
projects/studies. Biased data is based on opinions; facts are needed for this study.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:61
OBJ: Explain the relationship between evidence-based practice and performance improvement.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
20. A nurse is using the research process. Place in order the sequence that the nurse will follow.
1. Analyze results.
2. Conduct the study.
3. Identify clinical problem.
4. Develop research question.
5. Determine how study will be conducted.
a.
3, 4, 5, 2, 1
b.
4, 3, 5, 2, 1
c.
3, 5, 4, 2, 1
d.
4, 5, 3, 2, 1
ANS: A
The steps of the research process are as follows: (1) Identify area of interest or clinical problem, (2)
develop research question(s)/hypotheses, (3) determine how study will be conducted, (4) conduct
the study, and (5) analyze results of the study.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:61
OBJ: Discuss the steps of the research process. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. The nurse is preparing to conduct research that will allow precise measurement of a
phenomenon. Which methods will provide the nurse with the right kind of data? (Select all that
apply.)
a.
Surveys
b.
Phenomenology
c.
Grounded theory
d.
Evaluation research
e.
Nonexperimental research
ANS: A, D, E
Experimental research, nonexperimental research, surveys, and evaluation research are all forms of
quantitative research that allow for precise measurement. Phenomenology and grounded theory are
forms of qualitative research.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:59-60
OBJ: Explain how nursing research improves nursing practice. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
2. Before conducting any study with human subjects, the nurse researcher must obtain informed
consent. What must the nurse researcher ensure to obtain informed consent? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Gives complete information about the purpose
b.
Allows free choice to participate or withdraw
c.
Understands how confidentiality is maintained
d.
Identifies risks and benefits of participation
e.
Ensures that subjects complete the study
ANS: A, B, C, D
Informed consent means that research subjects (1) are given full and complete information about the
purpose of a study, procedures, data collection, potential harm and benefits, and alternative
methods of treatment; (2) are capable of fully understanding the research and the implications of
participation; (3) have the power of free choice to voluntarily consent or decline participation in the
research; and (4) understand how the researcher maintains confidentiality or anonymity. Completion
of the study is not needed for informed consent.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:61
OBJ: Discuss the steps of the research process. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
3. The nurse is reviewing nursing research literature related to a potential practice problem on the
nursing unit. What is the rationale for the nurse’s action? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Nursing research ensures the nurse’s promotion.
b.
Nursing research identifies new knowledge.
c.
Nursing research improves professional practice.
d.
Nursing research enhances effective use of resources.
e.
Nursing research leads to decreases in budget expenditures.
ANS: B, C, D
Nursing research is a way to identify new knowledge, improve professional education and practice,
and use resources effectively. Nursing research itself does not lead to a decrease in budget
expenditures; however it does lead to using health care resources effectively. A promotion is not a
direct result of nursing research.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:58
OBJ: Discuss priorities for nursing research. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 06: Health and Wellness
Chapter 06: Health and Wellness
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is teaching about the goals of Healthy People 2020. Which information should the nurse
include in the teaching session?
a.
Eliminate health disparities in America.
b.
Eliminate health behaviors in America.
c.
Eliminate quality of life in America.
d.
Eliminate healthy life in America.
ANS: A
The nurse should include eliminating health disparities in America. Healthy People 2020 promotes a
society in which all people live long, healthy lives. There are four overarching goals: (1) attain highquality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death; (2) achieve
health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups; (3) create social and
physical environments that promote good health for all; and (4) promote quality of life, healthy
development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:66
OBJ: List the four general Healthy People 2020 public health goals for Americans.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is following the goals of Healthy People 2020 to provide care. Which action should the
nurse take?
a.
Allow people to continue current behaviors to reduce the stress of change.
b.
Focus only on health changes that will lead to better local communities.
c.
Create social and physical environments that promote good health.
d.
Focus on illness treatment to provide fast recuperation.
ANS: C
Healthy People 2020 includes four goals, one of which is to create social and physical environments
that promote good health for all. The goals do not include continuing current behaviors to reduce
stress, focusing only on health changes for communities, or focusing on fast recuperation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:66
OBJ: List the four general Healthy People 2020 public health goals for Americans.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse is using the World Health Organization definition of health to provide care. Which area will
the nurse focus on while providing care?
a.
Making sure the patients are disease free
b.
Making sure to involve the whole person
c.
Making sure care is strictly personal in nature
d.
Making sure to focus only on the pathological state
ANS: B
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a “state of complete physical, mental, and
social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Therefore, nurses’ attitudes toward
health and illness should consider the total person, as well as the environment in which the person
lives. All people free of disease are not necessarily healthy. Strictly personal and a focus only on
pathological states do not correlate to WHO’s definition.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:66
OBJ:Discuss the definition of health.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse is preparing a smoking cessation class for family members of patients with lung cancer.
The nurse believes that the class will convert many smokers to nonsmokers once they realize the
benefits of not smoking. Which health care model is the nurse following?
a.
Health belief model
b.
Holistic health model
c.
Health promotion model
d.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
ANS: A
The health belief model addresses the relationship between a person’s beliefs and behaviors. The
holistic health model recognizes the natural healing abilities of the body and incorporates
complementary and alternative interventions such as music therapy. The health promotion model
focuses on the following three areas: (1) individual characteristics and experiences, (2) behaviorspecific knowledge and affect, and (3) behavioral outcomes, in which the patient commits to or
changes a behavior. Maslow’s’ hierarchy of needs is based on the theory that all people share basic
human needs, and the extent to which basic needs are met is a major factor in determining a
person’s level of health.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:66
OBJ: Discuss the health belief, health promotion, basic human needs, and holistic health models to
understand the relationship between patients’ attitudes toward health and health practices.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A nurse is using Maslow’s hierarchy to prioritize care for an anxious patient that is not eating and
will not see family members. Which area should the nurse address first?
a.
Anxiety
b.
Not eating
c.
Mental health
d.
Not seeing family members
ANS: B
According to Maslow, in all cases an emergent physiological need takes precedence over a higherlevel need. Nutrition is a physiological need and should be addressed first. Anxiety, mental health,
and not seeing family members are all higher-level needs.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:67-68
OBJ: Discuss the health belief, health promotion, basic human needs, and holistic health models to
understand the relationship between patients’ attitudes toward health and health practices.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
6. The patient is reporting moderate incisional pain that was not relieved by the last dose of pain
medication. The patient is not due for another dose of medication for another 2 1/2 hours. The nurse
repositions the patient, asks what type of music the patient likes, and sets the television to the
channel playing that type of music. Which health care model is the nurse using?
a.
Health belief model
b.
Holistic health model
c.
Health promotion model
d.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
ANS: B
The holistic health model recognizes the natural healing abilities of the body and incorporates
complementary and alternative interventions such as music therapy. The health belief model
addresses the relationship between a person’s beliefs and behaviors. The health promotion model
notes that each person has unique personal characteristics and experiences that affect subsequent
actions. The basic human needs model believes that the extent to which basic needs are met is a
major factor in determining a person’s level of health. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a model that
nurses use to understand the interrelationships of basic human needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:68-69
OBJ: Discuss the health belief, health promotion, basic human needs, and holistic health models to
understand the relationship between patients’ attitudes toward health and health practices.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
7. A nurse is assessing internal variables that are affecting the patient’s health status. Which area
should the nurse assess?
a.
Perception of functioning
b.
Socioeconomic factors
c.
Cultural background
d.
Family practices
ANS: A
Internal variables include a person’s developmental stage, intellectual background, perception of
functioning, and emotional and spiritual factors. External variables influencing a person’s health
beliefs and practices include family practices, socioeconomic factors, and cultural background.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:69 | 74
OBJ:Describe variables influencing health beliefs and practices.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. The nurse is admitting a patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. It is the fourth time the patient
is being admitted in the last 6 months for high blood sugars. During the admission process, the
nurse asks the patient about employment status and displays a nonjudgmental attitude. What is the
rationale for the nurse’s actions?
a.
External variables have little effect on compliance.
b.
A person’s compliance is affected by economic status.
c.
Employment status is an internal variable that impacts compliance.
d.
Noncompliant patients thrive on the disapproval of authority figures.
ANS: B
A person’s compliance with treatment is affected by economic status. A person tends to give a
higher priority to food and shelter than to costly drugs or treatments. External variables can have a
major impact on compliance. Employment status is an external variable, not an internal variable. A
person generally seeks approval and support from social networks, and this desire for approval
affects health beliefs and practices; noncompliance does not occur from thriving on disapproval of
authority figures.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:69-70 | 74
OBJ:Describe variables influencing health beliefs and practices.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. The nurse is working on a committee to evaluate the need for increasing the levels of fluoride in
the drinking water of the community. Which concept is the nurse fostering?
a.
Illness prevention
b.
Wellness education
c.
Active health promotion
d.
Passive health promotion
ANS: D
Fluoridation of municipal drinking water and fortification of homogenized milk with vitamin D are
examples of passive health promotion strategies. With active strategies of health promotion,
individuals are motivated to adopt specific health programs such as weight reduction and smoking
cessation programs. Illness prevention activities such as immunization programs protect patients
from actual or potential threats to health. Wellness education teaches people how to care for
themselves in a healthy way.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:71
OBJ: Describe health promotion, wellness, and illness prevention activities.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. The nurse is working in a clinic that is designed to provide health education and immunizations.
Which type of preventive care is the nurse providing?
a.
Primary prevention
b.
Secondary prevention
c.
Tertiary prevention
d.
Risk factor prevention
ANS: A
Primary prevention precedes disease or dysfunction and is applied to people considered physically
and emotionally healthy. Primary prevention includes health education programs, immunizations,
and physical and nutritional fitness activities. Secondary prevention focuses on individuals who are
experiencing health problems or illnesses and who are at risk for developing complications or
worsening conditions. Activities are directed at diagnosis and prompt intervention. Tertiary
prevention occurs when a defect or disability is permanent and irreversible. It involves minimizing the
effects of long-term disease or disability through interventions directed at preventing complications
and deterioration. While risk factor modification is an integral component of health promotion, it is not
a type of preventive care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:71
OBJ: Discuss the three levels of preventive care. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. The patient is admitted to the emergency department of the local hospital from home with reports
of chest discomfort and shortness of breath. The patient is placed on oxygen, has labs and blood
gases drawn, and is given an electrocardiogram and breathing treatments. Which level of preventive
care is this patient receiving?
a.
Primary prevention
b.
Secondary prevention
c.
Tertiary prevention
d.
Health promotion
ANS: B
Secondary prevention focuses on individuals who are experiencing health problems or illnesses and
who are at risk for developing complications or worsening conditions. Activities are directed at
diagnosis and prompt intervention. Primary prevention precedes disease or dysfunction and is
applied to people considered physically and emotionally healthy. Health promotion includes health
education programs, immunizations, and physical and nutritional fitness activities for healthy people.
Tertiary prevention occurs when a defect or disability is permanent and irreversible. It involves
minimizing the effects of long-term disease or disability through interventions directed at preventing
complications and deterioration.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:71
OBJ: Discuss the three levels of preventive care. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
12. A patient is admitted to a rehabilitation facility following a stroke. The patient has right-sided
paralysis and is unable to speak. The patient will be receiving physical therapy and speech therapy.
Which level of preventive care is the patient receiving?
a.
Primary prevention
b.
Secondary prevention
c.
Tertiary prevention
d.
Health promotion
ANS: C
Tertiary prevention occurs when a defect or disability is permanent and irreversible. It involves
minimizing the effects of long-term disease or disability through interventions directed at preventing
complications and deterioration. Secondary prevention focuses on individuals who are experiencing
health problems or illnesses and who are at risk for developing complications or worsening
conditions. Activities are directed at diagnosis and prompt intervention. Primary prevention precedes
disease or dysfunction and is applied to people considered physically and emotionally healthy.
Health promotion includes health education programs, immunizations, and physical and nutritional
fitness activities.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:72
OBJ: Discuss the three levels of preventive care. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
13. Upon completing a history, the nurse finds that a patient has risk factors for lung disease. How
should the nurse interpret this finding?
a.
A person with the risk factor will get the disease.
b.
The chances of getting the disease are increased.
c.
Risk modification will have no effect on disease prevention.
d.
The disease is guaranteed not to develop if the risk factor is controlled.
ANS: B
The presence of risk factors does not mean that a disease will develop, but risk factors increase the
chances that the individual will experience a particular disease or dysfunction. Control of risk factors
does not guarantee that a disease will not develop. However, risk factor modification can assist
patients in adopting activities to promote health and decrease risks of illness.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:72
OBJ: Describe four types of risk factors affecting health. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been trying to quit smoking. The patient has been
smoke free for 2 weeks but had two cigarettes last night and at least two this morning. What should
the nurse anticipate?
a.
The patient does not want to and will never quit smoking.
b.
The patient must pick up the attempt right where the patient left off.
c.
The patient will return to the contemplation or precontemplation phase.
d.
The patient will need to adopt a new lifestyle for change to be effective.
ANS: C
When relapse occurs, the person will return to the contemplation or precontemplation stage before
attempting the change again. The patient cannot pick up the attempt where left off. It is believed that
change involves movement through a series of stages (precontemplation, contemplation,
preparation, action, and maintenance). Anticipating that the patient does not want to and will never
quit is premature. While the patient will need to adopt a new lifestyle for change to be effective, it
does not correlate to this scenario since the patient relapsed.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:73
OBJ:Discuss risk factor modification and changing health behaviors.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. The nurse is working in a drug rehabilitation clinic and is in the process of admitting a patient for
“detox.” What should the nurse do next?
a.
Identify the patient’s stage of change.
b.
Realize that the patient is ready to change.
c.
Teach the patient that choices will have to change.
d.
Instruct the patient that relapses will not be tolerated.
ANS: A
The nurse should identify the stage of change and assess where the patient is currently in this
situation. To be most effective, nursing interventions should match the stage of change. The nurse
cannot realize the patient is ready for change because only a minority of people are actually in the
action stage of changing. While teaching that choices will have to change, it will follow later after the
nurse has determined which stage the person is in. As individuals attempt a change in behavior,
relapse followed by recycling through the stages occurs frequently.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:73
OBJ:Discuss risk factor modification and changing health behaviors.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
16. A female patient has been overweight for most of her life. She has tried dieting in the past and
has lost weight, only to regain it when she stopped dieting. The patient is visiting the weight loss
clinic/health club because she has decided to do it. She states that she will join right after the
holidays, in 3 months. Which stage is the patient displaying?
a.
Precontemplation
b.
Contemplation
c.
Preparation
d.
Action
ANS: B
This patient is planning to make the change within the next 6 months and is in the contemplation
stage. These stages range from no intention to change (precontemplation), to considering a change
within the next 6 months (contemplation), to making small changes (preparation), to actively
engaging in strategies to change behavior (action), to maintaining a changed behavior
(maintenance).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:73
OBJ:Discuss risk factor modification and changing health behaviors.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. Upon completion of the assessment, the nurse finds that the patient has quit drinking and has
been alcohol free for the past 2 years. Which stage best describes the nurse’s assessment finding?
a.
Contemplation
b.
Maintenance
c.
Preparation
d.
Action
ANS: B
Because the patient has been alcohol free for 2 years, the patient is in the maintenance stage.
These stages range from no intention to change (precontemplation), to considering a change within
the next 6 months (contemplation), to making small changes (preparation), to actively engaging in
strategies to change behavior (action), to maintaining a changed behavior (maintenance).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:73
OBJ:Discuss risk factor modification and changing health behaviors.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. The patient had a colostomy placed 1 week ago. When approached by the nurse, the patient and
spouse refuse to talk about it and refuse to be taught about how to care for it. How will the nurse
evaluate this couple’s stage of adjustment?
a.
Shock
b.
Withdrawal
c.
Acceptance
d.
Rehabilitation
ANS: B
As the patient and family recognize the reality of a change, they become anxious and may withdraw,
refusing to discuss it. This is an adaptive coping mechanism that assists the patient in making the
adjustment. Initially, the patient may be shocked by the change. This is followed by withdrawal,
acknowledgment, acceptance, and rehabilitation (ready to adapt to the change through use of
colostomy bag).
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:75
OBJ: Describe the effect of illness on patients and families. TOP: Evaluation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
19. A patient has had emphysema (lung disease) for many years. When approached by the nurse,
the patient states “I would be better off dead.” The patient supports the family, and now because of
oxygen dependency the patient must quit work. The patient’s spouse will have to go to work. Which
action should the nurse take?
a.
Develop a plan of care for the family.
b.
Contact psychiatric services for a referral.
c.
Assure the patient that things will work out.
d.
Focus the plan of care solely on maximizing patient function.
ANS: A
Because of the effects of chronic illness, family dynamics often change. The nurse must view the
whole family as a patient under stress, planning care to help the family regain its maximal level of
functioning and well-being. Psychiatric services may be a part of that plan but do not represent the
entire plan. Offering false assurance is never acceptable. Focusing only on the patient will not help
the family adjust.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:75
OBJ: Describe the effect of illness on patients and families. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
20. A nurse is teaching about the transtheoretical model of change. In which order will the nurse
place the progression of the stages from beginning to end?
1. Action
2. Preparation
3. Maintenance
4. Contemplation
5. Precontemplation
a.
5, 4, 2, 1, 3
b.
2, 5, 4, 3, 1
c.
4, 5, 3, 1, 2
d.
1, 5, 2, 3, 4
ANS: A
The stages of change in the transtheoretical model of change include five stages. These stages
range from no intention to change (precontemplation), considering a change within the next 6
months (contemplation), making small changes (preparation), and actively engaging in strategies to
change behavior (action), to maintaining a changed behavior (maintenance stage).
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:73
OBJ:Describe variables influencing health beliefs and practices.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which areas should the nurse assess to determine the effects of external variables on a patient’s
illness? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Patient’s perception of the illness
b.
Patient’s coping skills
c.
Socioeconomic status
d.
Cultural background
e.
Social support
ANS: C, D, E
External variables influencing a patient’s illness behavior include the visibility of symptoms, social
group, cultural background, economic variables, accessibility of the health care system, and social
support. Internal variables include the patient’s perceptions of symptoms and the nature of the
illness, as well as the patient’s coping skills and locus of control.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:69 | 74
OBJ: Describe variables influencing illness behavior. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse meets the following goals: helps a patient maintain health and helps a patient with an
illness. Which factors assist the nurse in achieving these goals? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Understands the challenges of today’s health care system
b.
Identifies actual and potential risk factors
c.
Has coined the term “illness behavior”
d.
Minimizes the effects of illnesses
e.
Experiences compassion fatigue
ANS: A, B, D
Nurses are in a unique position to assist patients in achieving and maintaining optimal levels of
health. Nurses understand the challenges of today’s health care system. Nurses can identify actual
and potential risk factors that predispose a person or group to illness. Nurses who understand how
patients react to illness can minimize the effects of illness and assist patients and their families in
maintaining or returning to the highest level of functioning. Nurses did not coin the phrase “illness
behavior.” While nurses can experience compassion fatigue, it does not help in meeting patient
goals.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:65
OBJ: Discuss a nurse’s role in health and illness. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 07: Caring in Nursing Practice
Chapter 07: Caring in Nursing Practice
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient in pain. Which nursing approach is priority?
a.
Relationship-centered
b.
Technology-centered
c.
High tech-centered
d.
Family-centered
ANS: A
It is important to preserve a relationship-centered approach to patient care for all aspects of nursing,
whether the care focuses on pain management, teaching self-care, or basic hygiene measures.
While technology, high tech, and family are important, they are not the priority.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:79
OBJ: Discuss the role that caring plays in building the nurse-patient relationship.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse is providing pain medication to patients after surgery. Which component is key for the
nurse’s personal philosophy of nursing?
a.
Caring
b.
Technology
c.
Informatics
d.
Therapeutics
ANS: A
The American Organization of Nurse Executives describes caring and knowledge as the core of
nursing, with caring being a key component of what a nurse brings to a patient experience. While
technology, informatics, and therapeutics are important, they are not the key components of nursing.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:79
OBJ: Describe the significance of caring as part of the nurses’ personal philosophy of nursing.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse attends a seminar on nursing theories for caring. Which information from the nurse
indicates a correct understanding of these theories?
a.
Benner identifies caring as highly connected involving patient and nurse.
b.
Swanson develops four caring processes to convey caring in nursing.
c.
Watson’s transcultural caring views inclusion of culture as caring.
d.
Leininger’s theory places care before cure and is transformative.
ANS: A
Benner believes caring is highly connected involving each nurse-patient encounter. Swanson
developed five caring processes, not four. Watson’s theory places care before cure and is
transformative, whereas Leininger’s transcultural caring views inclusion of culture as caring.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:80
OBJ: Compare and contrast theories on caring. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
4. The patient has a colostomy but has not yet been able to look at it. The nurse teaches the patient
how to care for the colostomy. The nurse sits with the patient, and together they form a plan on how
to approach dealing with colostomy care. Which caring process is the nurse performing?
a.
Knowing
b.
Doing for
c.
Enabling
d.
Maintaining belief
ANS: C
Enabling is facilitating another’s passage through a life transition and unfamiliar events. Working with
the patient to find alternate ways to perform the task is doing just that. Knowing is striving to
understand an event because it has meaning in the life of another. This must be done before
enabling can occur. Doing for is doing for the other as he or she would do for self if it were at all
possible. The nurse in this situation is not doing for the patient but is teaching/informing on how to
care for the colostomy. Maintaining belief is sustaining faith in the other’s capacity to get through an
event or transition and face a future with meaning. This may be an underlying theme to the process
but is not what the nurse is actually doing.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:82
OBJ: Compare and contrast theories on caring. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
5. A nurse is using Watson’s model to provide care to patients. Which carative factor will the nurse
use?
a.
Maintaining belief
b.
Instilling faith-hope
c.
Maintaining ethics
d.
Instilling values
ANS: B
Watson has 10 carative factors, one of which is instilling faith-hope. Maintaining belief is a caring
process of Swanson’s theory. Ethics and values are important in caring but they are not examples of
Watson’s carative factors.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:80-81
OBJ: Compare and contrast theories on caring. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A nurse provides care that is receptive to patients’ and families’ perceptions of caring. Which
action will the nurse take?
a.
Provides clear, accurate information
b.
Just performs nursing tasks competently
c.
Does as much for the patient as possible
d.
Focuses solely on the patient’s diagnosis
ANS: A
Research indicates caring behaviors of nurses from the patient’s/families’ perspective include the
following: (1) Providing honest, clear, and accurate information; (2) asking permission before doing
something to a patient; (3) helping patients do as much for themselves as possible; and (4) teaching
the family how to keep the relative physically comfortable. Patients continue to value nurses’
effectiveness in performing tasks, but clearly patients value the affective dimension of nursing care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:87
OBJ: Discuss the evidence that exists about patients’ perceptions of caring.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
7. A nurse follows the “ethics of care” when working with patients. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Becomes the patient’s advocate based on the patient’s wishes
b.
Makes decisions for the patient solely using analytical principles
c.
Uses only intellectual principles to determine what is best for the patient
d.
Ignores unequal family relationships since that is a personal matter for the family
ANS: A
An ethic of care places the nurse as the patient’s advocate, solving ethical dilemmas by attending to
relationships and by giving priority to each patient’s unique personhood. An ethic of care is unique
so that professional nurses do not make professional decisions based solely on intellectual or
analytical principles. Instead, an ethic of care places “caring” at the center of decision making.
Nurses who function from an ethic of care are sensitive to unequal relationships that lead to abuse of
one person’s power over another—intentional or otherwise.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:83-84
OBJ:Explain how an ethic of care influences nurses’ decision making.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
8. A nurse is providing presence to a patient and the family. Which nursing action does this involve?
a.
Focusing on the task that needs to be done
b.
Providing closeness and a sense of caring
c.
Jumping in to provide patient comfort
d.
Being there without an identified goal
ANS: B
Providing presence is a person-to-person encounter conveying closeness and a sense of caring.
“Being there” seems to depend on the fact that a nurse is attentive to the patient more than the task.
“Being with” means being available and at the patient’s disposal. If the patient accepts the nurse, the
nurse will be invited to see, share, and touch the patient’s vulnerability and suffering. Jumping in
may not be welcomed. Being there is something the nurse offers to the patient with the purpose of
achieving some patient care goal.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:84
OBJ:Describe ways to express caring through presence and touch.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. The patient is afraid to have a thoracentesis at the bedside. The nurse sits with the patient and
asks about the fears. During the procedure, the nurse stays with the patient, explaining each step
and providing encouragement. What is the nurse displaying?
a.
Providing touch
b.
Providing a presence
c.
Providing family care
d.
Providing a listening ear
ANS: B
The nurse’s presence helps to calm anxiety and fear related to stressful situations. Giving
reassurance and thorough explanations about a procedure, remaining at the patient’s side, and
coaching the patient through the experience all convey a presence that is invaluable to the patient’s
well-being. Listening and touch can be part of the “presence” but are not its entirety. No family was
involved in this scenario.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:84
OBJ:Describe ways to express caring through presence and touch.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. The patient is terminal and very near death. When the nurse checks the patient and finds no
pulse or blood pressure, the family begins sobbing and hugging each other. Some family members
hold the patient’s hand. The nurse is overwhelmed by the presence of grief and leaves the room.
What is the nurse demonstrating?
a.
Caring touch
b.
Protective touch
c.
Therapeutic touch
d.
Task-oriented touch
ANS: B
Protective touch is also a kind of touch that protects the nurse emotionally. A nurse withdraws or
distances herself or himself from a patient when he or she is unable to tolerate suffering or needs to
escape from a situation that is causing tension. Caring touch is a form of nonverbal communication
that influences a patient’s comfort and security, enhances self-esteem, and improves mental wellbeing. Therapeutic touch is a type of alternative therapy for healing. Task-oriented touch is done
when performing a task or procedure.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:84
OBJ:Describe ways to express caring through presence and touch.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
11. Which action indicates a nurse is using caring touch with a patient?
a.
Inserts a catheter
b.
Rubs a patient’s back
c.
Prevents a patient from falling
d.
Administers an injection
ANS: B
Caring touch is the way a nurse holds a patient’s hand, gives a back massage, or gently positions a
patient. Touch that occurs when tasks are being performed, such as insertion of a catheter or
administering an injection, is known as “task-oriented touch.” Touch used to protect the patient
(holding and bracing a patient to avoid a fall) or nurse (withdraws from tension-filled situations) is
known as “protective touch.”
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:84
OBJ:Describe ways to express caring through presence and touch.
TOP: Caring MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
12. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been sullen and quiet for the past three days.
Suddenly, the patient says, “I’m really nervous about surgery tomorrow, but I’m more worried about
how it will affect my family.” What should the nurse do first?
a.
Assure the patient that everything will be all right.
b.
Tell the patient that there is no need to worry.
c.
Listen to the patient’s concerns and fears.
d.
Inform the patient a social worker is available.
ANS: C
Listening to the meaning of what a patient says helps create a mutual relationship. Assuring and
telling a patient not to worry are not truly listening; these do not convey listening. Although contacting
a social worker could be an appropriate measure for this patient, the nurse should first listen to what
the patient is saying.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:85
OBJ: Describe the therapeutic benefit of listening to patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. The patient is about to undergo a certain procedure and has voiced concern about outcomes
and prognosis. The nurse caring for the patient underwent a similar procedure and stops to listen.
Which response by the nurse may be most beneficial?
a.
“I had a similar procedure and I can tell you what I went through.”
b.
“I think you’ll be all right, but, of course, there are no sure guarantees.”
c.
“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. They do lots of these.”
d.
“I can call the doctor and cancel the procedure, if you are really concerned.”
ANS: A
When an ill person chooses to tell his story, it involves reaching out to another human being. Telling
the story implies a relationship that develops only if the clinician exchanges his or her stories as well.
Professionals do not routinely take seriously their own need to be known as part of a clinical
relationship. Yet, unless the professional acknowledges this need, there is no reciprocal relationship,
only an interaction. Offering false reassurances and cliches, telling not to worry, or offering to cancel
the procedure does not open up that relationship and dismisses the patient’s concerns.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:85
OBJ:Describe the therapeutic benefit of listening to patients.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
14. In making rounds, the nurse meets a patient for the first time. The nurse asks the patient when
morning medications are taken, such as before breakfast, after breakfast, or during breakfast. What
does knowing the patient allow the nurse to do?
a.
Choose the most appropriate time to give the medication.
b.
Know what information to put on the medication error report form.
c.
Explain to the patient that the medication will not be given at the usual time.
d.
Evaluate whether or not the patient is taking the medication correctly at home.
ANS: A
“Knowing the patient” is at the core of the process nurses use to make clinical decisions. Knowing
when the patient normally takes the medication will allow the nurse to keep the patient on as near
normal a schedule as possible. Nothing in this question infers that the patient will not get the
medications on time or that a medication error report will need to be completed. Although the nurse
can evaluate whether or not the patient is taking the medication correctly at home, the main purpose,
within this scenario, is to determine the most appropriate time to administer the medication.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:85 | 87
OBJ: Explain the relationship between knowing a patient and clinical decision making.
TOP: Caring MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse cares for patients. Which areas does caring influence? (Select all that apply.)
a.
The way in which patients feel
b.
The way in which patients learn
c.
The way in which patients think
d.
The way in which patients study
e.
The way in which patients behave
ANS: A, C, E
Caring is a universal phenomenon that influences the ways in which people think, feel, and behave
in relation to one another. How people learn and study involves other concepts such as
teaching/learning.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:80
OBJ: Discuss the role that caring plays in building the nurse-patient relationship.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. Which actions by the nurse should be done in order to get to know the patient? (Select all that
apply.)
a.
Avoid assumptions
b.
Focus on the patient
c.
Engage in a caring relationship
d.
Form the relationship very quickly
e.
Not address spiritual or higher needs
ANS: A, B, C
To know a patient means that the nurse avoids assumptions, focuses on the patient, and engages in
a caring relationship with the patient that reveals information and cues that facilitate critical thinking
and clinical judgments. Knowing develops over time as a nurse learns the clinical conditions within a
specialty and the behaviors and physiological responses of patients.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:85
OBJ: Explain the relationship between knowing a patient and clinical decision making.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. Which actions by the nurse indicate compassion and caring to patients? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Saying “I’m here”
b.
Including the family in care
c.
Staying with the patient during a bedside test
d.
Relying on monitors and technology
e.
Refining work processes on the unit
ANS: A, B, C
Our patients tell us that a simple touch, a simple phrase, “I’m here,” or a promise to remain at the
bedside represent caring and compassion. Caring for an individual cannot occur in isolation from
that person’s family. As a nurse it is important to know the family almost as thoroughly as you know
a patient. A reliance on technology and cost-effective health care strategies and efforts to
standardize and refine work processes all undermine the nature of caring.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:84 | 86 | 87
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of compassion to caring. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MATCHING
Match the examples to the areas the nurse will promote connectedness for patient’s spirituality
needs.
a.
Connection with others
b.
Connection with higher power
c.
Connection with oneself
1. Intrapersonally
2. Interpersonally
3. Transpersonally
1.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:86
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of compassion to caring. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:86
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of compassion to caring. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:86
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of compassion to caring. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 08: Caring for the Cancer Survivor
Chapter 08: Caring for the Cancer Survivor
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is working on a cancer unit. The unit uses the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
definition for a cancer survivor. Which definition will the nurse use?
a.
Been cancer free for 5 years after diagnosis
b.
Been cancer free for 3 years after diagnosis
c.
Had cancer and is declared cancer free
d.
Had cancer and extends until death
ANS: D
Cancer survivorship begins at the time of cancer diagnosis, includes treatment, and extends to the
rest of the person’s life. Being cancer free for any length of time does not relate to the definition of a
cancer survivor put forth by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:90
OBJ: Discuss the concept of cancer survivorship. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
2. A nurse is providing follow-up care for cancer survivors. Which condition should the
nurse most monitor for in these patients?
a.
Cancer
b.
Infection
c.
Weight gain
d.
Low blood pressure
ANS: A
Cancer survivors are at increased risk for cancer (either a recurrence of the cancer for which they
were treated or a second cancer). The increased risk for developing a second cancer is the result of
cancer treatment, genetic factors or other susceptibility, or an interaction between treatment and
susceptibility. Infection, weight gain, and low blood pressure are not common conditions for cancer
survivors.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:91
OBJ: Describe the influence of cancer survivorship on patients’ quality of life.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
3. A nurse is assessing a cancer survivor for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CPIN).
Which assessment finding is consistent with CPIN?
a.
Hearing loss
b.
Devastating depression
c.
Extreme loss of motor functioning
d.
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
ANS: D
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CPIN) refers to peripheral nerve damage resulting
from the effects of certain chemotherapeutic agents. Damage to large sensory nerves causes
feelings of numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. Motor function may also be affected, but
usually to a lesser degree than sensory function. Hearing loss and depression are not signs and
symptoms of CPIN.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:91
OBJ: Describe the influence of cancer survivorship on patients’ quality of life.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
4. A cancer survivor is in the intensive care unit (ICU). Some of the patient’s family is from out of
town and would like to see the patient even though it is not “official” visiting hours. The patient is
anxious to see family members. The nurse allows the family to visit. What is the rationale for the
nurse’s actions?
a.
The nurse disagrees with the established time for visiting.
b.
The nurse realizes that the patient is dying.
c.
The nurse feels there is no real reason to have limited visiting hours.
d.
The nurse believes that the visit will help relieve psychological stress.
ANS: D
Survivors who have social and emotional support systems are likely to have less psychological
distress. Relationships are critical for cancer survivors. The nurse does not necessarily have
problems with the standard visiting hours. Not enough information is provided to indicate that the
patient is near death, and not all patients in the ICU are dying.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:93
OBJ: Describe the influence of cancer survivorship on patients’ quality of life.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. A nurse is taking a history on a patient with cancer. Which assessment is priority?
a.
Fatigue
b.
Vision
c.
Dehydration
d.
Blood pressure
ANS: A
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and associated sleep disturbances are among the most frequent and
distressing complaints of people with cancer. Vision, dehydration, and blood pressure are not
frequent side effects of cancer.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:92
OBJ: Describe the influence of cancer survivorship on patients’ quality of life.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
6. A breast cancer survivor has chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment. Which area should the
nurse assess?
a.
Pain
b.
Grief
c.
Nightmares
d.
Short-term memory
ANS: D
Breast cancer survivors report having difficulty with short-term memory, focusing, working, reading
with comprehension, and driving with chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Pain
occurs with other long-term effects of cancer survival but does not occur with CRCI. Grief and
nightmares occur with post-traumatic stress disorder.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:92
OBJ: Describe the influence of cancer survivorship on patients’ quality of life.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
7. The nurse is caring for a young woman with breast cancer. The stress between the woman and
spouse is obvious, as is anxiety among the children. What is the nurse’s best action in this
situation?
a.
Help find or develop an educational program for the patient and spouse.
b.
Encourage the patient to agree with the spouse.
c.
Support the spouse, and explain that the spouse knows what is best.
d.
Take the children away and recommend foster care.
ANS: A
It is a nurse’s responsibility to educate (develop an educational program) cancer survivors and their
families about the effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Spouses often do not know what to do to
support the survivor, and they struggle with how to help; therefore, agreeing even if disagreeing
does not help and the spouse does not always know what is best. Foster care is not necessary at
this time.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:95
OBJ: Discuss the effects that cancer has on the family. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer. The
patient asks the nurse about the value of cancer screening when therapy is over. What is the
nurse’s best response?
a.
“It should be done on an ongoing schedule.”
b.
“It is not something that should be discussed right now.”
c.
“It probably will not be needed since the cancer has been cured.”
d.
“It usually is not done but can be done if the patient wants peace of mind.”
ANS: A
Because survivors are at increased risk for developing a second cancer and/or chronic illness, it is
important to educate them about lifestyle behaviors and the importance of participating in ongoing
cancer screening and early detection practices. Lifelong cancer screening provides the opportunity
to identify new cancers in early stages. Cancer screening should be discussed and should be done
even if the cancer is cured.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:96
OBJ:Explain the nursing implications related to cancer survivorship.
TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with cancer. The family of the patient asks the nurse
for resources about the cancer. What should the nurse do?
a.
Refer family members to the health care provider.
b.
Inform them that few options are available.
c.
Maintain confidentiality by keeping silent.
d.
Provide the family with the information.
ANS: D
The nurse’s role is to tell patients and families about the different resources available so they can
make informed choices. The physician is a resource, but the nurse can educate and help as well.
There are numerous organizations that provide resources to cancer survivors. The nurse must
maintain patient confidentiality, not resource confidentiality.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:96
OBJ:Explain the nursing implications related to cancer survivorship.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. The nurse is caring for a patient with known coronary artery disease who has recently been
diagnosed with lung cancer. What should the nurse do?
a.
Focus the assessment solely on the cancer diagnosis since it is the newer diagnosis.
b.
Ask questions about cardiac symptoms and their relationship to the cancer.
c.
Ignore symptom management and focus on palliative care.
d.
Say nothing because cancer survivors dislike prying.
ANS: B
The nurse needs to consider not only the effects of cancer and its treatment but also how it will affect
any other medical condition. For example, if a patient also has heart disease, how will the fatigue
related to chemotherapy affect this individual? The nurse must focus on both, not just the cancer
diagnosis. Nurses do not ignore symptom management; given the symptoms that a patient identifies,
the nurse will explore each one to gain a complete picture of the patient’s health status. Saying
nothing is inappropriate; patients will appreciate the nurse’s sensitivity and interest in their wellbeing.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:94
OBJ:Explain the nursing implications related to cancer survivorship.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Physiological Adaptation
11. The patient has lung cancer and voices concerns about cancer treatments affecting sexuality.
What is the nurse’s best reply?
a.
“That is something to ask the health care provider.”
b.
“Chemotherapy will work in the lungs and should have no effect on sexuality.”
c.
“How cancer treatment affects sexuality depends on how active you are and your age.”
d.
“Sexual changes are common with cancer therapy. Let me get someone who can answer your questions.”
ANS: D
Cancer therapies have the potential to cause fatigue, apathy, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and sleep
disturbances, all of which interfere with a patient’s sexual functioning. It helps if the nurse can
develop a comfort level in acknowledging with patients that sexual changes are common at any age
level. When patients begin to discuss their sexuality, be familiar with the expert resources in your
institution (e.g., psychologist, social worker) available for patient referral. The issue should not be
pushed onto the health care provider.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:95
OBJ:Explain the nursing implications related to cancer survivorship.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
12. The nurse is caring for a patient who has successfully undergone cancer therapy and will be
discharged home soon. The patient is concerned about going home and not knowing what to do.
Which information is the most valuable for the nurse to share with the patient?
a.
The nurse will develop a plan of care that will tell exactly what needs to be done.
b.
If any issues arise, call the health care provider and follow the instructions.
c.
Proper cancer treatment has been provided, and nothing else is required.
d.
There is a team that will provide support and care that may be needed.
ANS: D
When a survivor is released from an oncologist, the internist and other health care providers provide
and coordinate care based on knowledge of prior cancer history and treatment. To meet the health
care needs of cancer survivors, it is essential for a “survivorship care plan” to be written by the
principal provider (not the nurse) who coordinates the patient’s oncology treatment. Depending upon
the issue, there may be several health care providers who may be a better choice. Proper cancer
treatment will include a follow-up plan or “survivorship care plan.” The nurse will still advise the
patient to call the health care provider if there are issues and to follow the instructions given, but
acknowledging the team approach that is used and available support is most valuable to the patient
at the time of discharge.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:97
OBJ: Discuss the essential components of survivorship care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
13. When planning for cancer survivor care needs, which information should the nurse consider?
a.
Survivorship care plans are reviewed with the patient at home.
b.
All health care agencies provide survivorship care plans.
c.
Some survivors are discharged with no survivor plan.
d.
The plan does not deal with future cancer screenings.
ANS: C
Some patients receive care at cancer centers without this type of resource and may not have a
survivor care plan. Thus nurses and other health care providers need to become more vigilant in
recognizing cancer survivors and attempting to link them with the support and resources they
require. Ideally, the nurse reviews a survivorship care plan with a patient at the time of discharge
from a treatment program and not at home. The plan becomes a guide for any future cancer or
cancer-related care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:97
OBJ: Discuss the essential components of survivorship care. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A cancer survivor patient has anxiety and depression. Which therapies should the nurse include in
the plan of care? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Keep information to a minimum with health care providers.
b.
Teach the use of problem-oriented coping processes.
c.
Encourage the use of social support systems.
d.
Use cognitive behavioral interventions.
e.
Schedule exercise when convenient.
ANS: B, C, D
Patients who use problem-oriented, active, and emotionally expressive coping processes also
manage stress well. Survivors who have social and emotional support systems and maintain open
communication with their treatment providers will also likely have less psychological distress.
Interventions to treat anxiety and depression in cancer survivors include education, routine (not
when convenient) exercise, adequate sleep, and reassurance that anxiety and depression are
commonly seen in cancer survivors.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:93
OBJ: Describe the influence of cancer survivorship on patients’ quality of life.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is working in a cancer facility that follows the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM)
recommendations for essential components of survivorship care. Which recommendations will be
the nurse’s focus? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Cessation of noncancer follow-up and care
b.
Prevention and detection of new and recurrent cancers
c.
Intervention for consequences of cancer and its treatment
d.
Coordination between specialists and primary care providers
e.
Surveillance for cancer spread, recurrence, or second cancers
ANS: B, C, D, E
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends four essential components of survivorship care: (1)
Prevention and detection of new cancers and recurrent cancer; (2) surveillance for cancer spread,
recurrence, or second cancers; (3) intervention for consequences of cancer and its treatment (e.g.,
medical problems, symptoms, psychological distress); and (4) coordination between specialists and
primary care providers. The patient should continue with noncancer follow-up and care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:96-97
OBJ: Discuss the essential components of survivorship care. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is assessing a cancer survivor and the caregiver. Which examples describe the possible
caregiving patterns the nurse may observe?
a.
Patients and caregivers share activities of care.
b.
Family provides most of the care because the patient is unable.
c.
Patients mostly care for self with caregivers in a standby role.
1. The self-caregiving pattern
2. The collaborative care pattern
3. The family caregiving pattern
1.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:95
OBJ: Discuss the effects that cancer has on the family. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:95
OBJ: Discuss the effects that cancer has on the family. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:95
OBJ: Discuss the effects that cancer has on the family. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 09: Cultural Awareness
Chapter 09: Cultural Awareness
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is working at a health fair screening people for liver cancer. Which population group
should the nurse monitor most closely for liver cancer?
a.
Hispanic
b.
Asian Americans
c.
Non-Hispanic Caucasians
d.
Non-Hispanic African-Americans
ANS: B
While Asian Americans generally have lower cancer rates than the non-Hispanic Caucasian
population, they also have the highest incidence rates of liver cancer for both sexes compared with
Hispanic, non-Hispanic Caucasians, or non-Hispanic African-Americans.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:101
OBJ: Describe cultural influences on health and illness. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is caring for an immigrant with low income. Which information should the nurse consider
when planning care for this patient?
a.
There is a decreased frequency of morbidity.
b.
There is an increased incidence of disease.
c.
There is an increased level of health.
d.
There is a decreased mortality rate.
ANS: B
Populations with health disparities (immigrant with low income) have a significantly increased
incidence of disease or increased morbidity and mortality when compared with the general
population. Although Americans’ health overall has improved during the past few decades, the
health of members of marginalized groups has actually declined.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:101-102
OBJ: Describe cultural influences on health and illness. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is assessing the health care disparities among population groups. Which area is the
nurse monitoring?
a.
Accessibility of health care services
b.
Outcomes of health conditions
c.
Prevalence of complications
d.
Incidence of diseases
ANS: A
While health disparities are the differences among populations in the incidence, prevalence, and
outcomes of health conditions, diseases and related complications, health care disparities are
differences among populations in the availability, accessibility, and quality of health care services
(e.g. screening, diagnostic, treatment, management, and rehabilitation) aimed at prevention,
treatment, and management of diseases and their complications.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:102
OBJ:Describe health disparities and social determinants of health.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. A nurse is providing care to a patient from a different culture. Which action by the nurse indicates
cultural competence?
a.
Communicates effectively in a multicultural context
b.
Functions effectively in a multicultural context
c.
Visits a foreign country
d.
Speaks a different language
ANS: B
Cultural competence refers to a developmental process that evolves over time that impacts ability to
effectively function in the multicultural context. Communicates effectively and speaking a different
language indicates linguistic competence. Visiting a foreign country does not indicate cultural
competence.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:103
OBJ: Describe steps toward developing cultural competence. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. The nurse learns about cultural issues involved in the patient’s health care belief system and
enables patients and families to achieve meaningful and supportive care. Which concept is the nurse
demonstrating?
a.
Marginalized groups
b.
Health care disparity
c.
Transcultural nursing
d.
Culturally congruent care
ANS: D
The nurse is demonstrating culturally congruent care. Culturally congruent care, or care that fits a
person’s life patterns, values, and system of meaning, provides meaningful and beneficial nursing
care. Marginalized groups are populations left out or excluded. Health care disparities are
differences among populations in the availability, accessibility, and quality of health care services
(e.g. screening, diagnostic, treatment, management, and rehabilitation) aimed at prevention,
treatment, and management of diseases and their complications. Transcultural nursing is a
comparative study of cultures in order to understand their similarities (culture that is universal) and
the differences among them (culture that is specific to particular groups).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:103
OBJ:Explain how the many facets of culture affect a health care provider’s ability to provide culturally
congruent care.TOP:Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A nurse is beginning to use patient-centered care and cultural competence to improve nursing
care. Which step should the nurse take first?
a.
Assessing own biases and attitude
b.
Learning about the world view of others
c.
Understanding organizational forces
d.
Developing cultural skills
ANS: A
Becoming more aware of your biases and attitudes about human behavior is the first step in
providing patient-centered care, leading to culturally competent care. It is helpful to think about
cultural competence as a lifelong process of learning about others and also about yourself. Learning
about the world view, developing cultural skills, and understanding organizational forces are not the
first steps.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:105
OBJ: Describe the relationship between cultural competence and patient-centered care.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse is performing a cultural assessment using the ETHNIC mnemonic for communication.
Which area will the nurse assess for the “H”?
a.
Health
b.
Healers
c.
History
d.
Homeland
ANS: B
The “H” in ETHNIC stands for healers: Has the patient sought advice from alternative health
practitioners? While health, history, and homeland are important, they are not components of “H.”
DIF:Apply (application)REF:109
OBJ:Use cultural assessment to plan culturally competent care.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. The nurse is caring for a patient of Hispanic descent who speaks no English. The nurse is working
with an interpreter. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Use long sentences when talking.
b.
Look at the patient when talking.
c.
Use breaks in sentences when talking.
d.
Look at only nonverbal behaviors when talking.
ANS: B
Direct your questions to the patient. Look at the patient, instead of looking at the interpreter. Pace
your speech by using short sentences, but do not break your sentences. Observe the patient’s
nonverbal and verbal behaviors.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:110
OBJ:Discuss research findings applicable to culturally competent care.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. Which action indicates the nurse is meeting a primary goal of cultural competent care for patients?
a.
Provides care to transgender patients
b.
Provides care to restore relationships
c.
Provides care to patients that is individualized
d.
Provides care to surgical patients
ANS: A
Although cultural competence and patient-centered care both aim to improve health care quality,
their focus is slightly different. The primary aim of cultural competence care is to reduce health
disparities and increase health equity and fairness by concentrating on people of color and other
marginalized groups, like transgender patients. Patient-centered care, rather than cultural
competence care, provides individualized care and restores an emphasis on personal relationships;
it aims to elevate quality for all patients.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:105
OBJ: Describe the relationship between cultural competence and patient-centered care.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. The nurse is caring for a Chinese patient using the Teach-Back technique. Which action by the
nurse indicates successful implementation of this technique?
a.
Asks, “Does this make sense?”
b.
Asks, “Do you think you can do this at home?”
c.
Asks, “What will you tell your spouse about changing the dressing?”
d.
Asks, “Would you tell me if you don’t understand something so we can go over it?”
ANS: C
The Teach-Back technique asks open-ended questions, like what will you tell your spouse about
changing the dressing, to verify a patient’s understanding. When using the Teach-Back technique do
not ask a patient, “Do you understand?” or “Do you have any questions?” Does this make sense and
do you think you can do this at home are closed-ended questions. Would you tell me if you don’t
understand something so we can go over it is not verifying a patient’s understanding about the
teaching.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:110-111
OBJ:Discuss research findings applicable to culturally competent care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. A nurse is using core measures to reduce health disparities. Which group should the nurse focus
on to cause the most improvement in core measures?
a.
Caucasians
b.
Poor people
c.
Alaska Natives
d.
American Indians
ANS: B
To improve results, the nurse should focus on the highest disparity. Poor people received worse
care than high-income people for about 60% of core measures. American Indians and Alaska
Natives received worse care than Caucasians for about 30% of core measures.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:111
OBJ:Discuss research findings applicable to culturally competent care.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
12. A nurse is designing a form for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. Which
design should the nurse use?
a.
Use partnered rather than married.
b.
Use mother rather than father.
c.
Use parents rather than guardian.
d.
Use wife/husband rather than significant other.
ANS: A
Include LGBT-inclusive language on forms and assessments to facilitate disclosure, knowing that
disclosure is a choice impacted by many factors. For example, provide options such as “partnered”
under relationship status. For parents, use parent/guardian, instead of mother/father. Use neutral
and inclusive language when talking with patients (e.g., partner or significant other), listening and
reflecting patient’s choice. Remember that some LGBT patients are also legally married.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:105
OBJ: Discuss research findings applicable to equity-focused quality improvement.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
13. A nurse is assessing population groups for the risk of suicide requiring medical attention. Which
group should the nurse monitor most closely?
a.
Young bisexuals
b.
Young caucasians
c.
Asian Americans
d.
African-Americans
ANS: A
Gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people have a significantly increased risk for depression, anxiety,
suicide attempts, and substance use disorders, being 4 times as likely as their straight peers to
make suicide attempts that require medical attention. Caucasian youth, Asian Americans, and
African-Americans are not as likely to attempt suicide resulting in medical attention.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:101
OBJ:Explain how the many facets of culture affect a health care provider’s ability to provide culturally
congruent care.TOP:Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. A nurse is assessing a patient’s ethnohistory. Which question should the nurse ask?
a.
What language do you speak at home?
b.
How different is your life here from back home?
c.
Which caregivers do you seek when you are sick?
d.
How different is what we do from what your family does when you are sick?
ANS: B
An ethnohistory question is the following: How different is your life here from back home? Caring
beliefs and practice questions include the following: Which caregivers do you seek when you are
sick and How different is what we do from what your family does when you are sick? The language
and communication is the following: What language do you speak at home?
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:107
OBJ:Use cultural assessment to plan culturally competent care.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. A nurse is teaching patients about health care information. Which patient will the nurse assess
closely for health literacy?
a.
A patient 35 years old
b.
A patient 68 years old
c.
A patient with a college degree
d.
A patient with a high-school diploma
ANS: B
About 9 out of 10 people in the United States experience challenges in using health care
information. Patients who are especially vulnerable are the elderly (age 65+), immigrants, persons
with low incomes, persons who do not have a high-school diploma or GED, and persons with chronic
mental and/or physical health conditions. A 35-year-old patient and patients with high-school and
college education are not identified in the vulnerable populations.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:110
OBJ:Discuss research findings applicable to culturally competent care.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. A nurse works at a hospital that uses equity-focused quality improvement. Which strategy is the
hospital using?
a.
Document staff satisfaction.
b.
Focus on the family.
c.
Implement change on a grand scale.
d.
Reduce disparities.
ANS: D
Organizations can implement equity-focused quality improvement by recognizing disparities and
committing to reducing them. Staff diversity is a priority for equity-focused quality improvement, not
staff satisfaction. While the family is important, the focus is on the patients. Organizations should
start by implementing a change on a small scale (pilot testing), learning from each test, and refining
the intervention through performance improvement cycles (e.g., plan, do, study, and act).
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:112
OBJ: Discuss research finding applicable to equity-focused quality improvement.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
17. A nurse is providing care to a culturally diverse population. Which action indicates the nurse is
successful in the role of providing culturally congruent care?
a.
Provides care that fits the patient’s valued life patterns and set of meanings
b.
Provides care that is based on meanings generated by predetermined criteria
c.
Provides care that makes the nurse the leader in determining what is needed
d.
Provides care that is the same as the values of the professional health care system
ANS: A
The goal of transcultural nursing is to provide culturally congruent care, or care that fits the person’s
life patterns, values, and system of meaning. Patterns and meanings are generated from people
themselves, rather than from predetermined criteria. Discovering patients’ cultural values, beliefs,
and practices as they relate to nursing and health care requires you to assume the role of learner
(not become the leader) and to partner with your patients and their families to determine what is
needed to provide meaningful and beneficial nursing care. Culturally congruent care is sometimes
different from the values and meanings of the professional health care system.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:103
OBJ:Explain how the many facets of culture affect a health care provider’s ability to provide culturally
congruent care.TOP:Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
18. A nurse is assessing the patient’s meaning of illness. Which area of focus by the nurse
is priority?
a.
On the way a patient reacts to disease
b.
On the malfunctioning of biological processes
c.
On the malfunctioning of psychological processes
d.
On the way a patient reacts to family/social interactions
ANS: A
To provide culturally congruent care, you need to understand the difference between disease and
illness. Illness is the way that individuals and families react to disease, whereas disease is a
malfunctioning of biological or psychological processes. The way a patient interacts to family/social
interactions is communication processes and family dynamics.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:103
OBJ:Explain how the many facets of culture affect a health care provider’s ability to provide culturally
congruent care.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is using Campinha-Bacote’s model of cultural competency. Which areas will the nurse
focus on to become competent? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Cultural skills
b.
Cultural desire
c.
Cultural transition
d.
Cultural knowledge
e.
Cultural encounters
ANS: A, B, D, E
Campinha-Bacote’s model of cultural competency has five interrelated components: cultural
awareness; cultural knowledge; cultural skills; cultural encounters; and cultural desire. Cultural
transition is not a component of this model.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:104-105
OBJ:Discuss research findings applicable to culturally competent care.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse is using the RESPECT mnemonic to establish rapport, the “R” in RESPECT. Which
actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Connect on a social level.
b.
Help the patient overcome barriers.
c.
Consciously attempt to suspend judgment.
d.
Stress that they will be working together to address problems.
e.
Know limitations in addressing medical issues across cultures.
ANS: A, C
The “R” in RESPECT stands for rapport and includes the following behaviors: connect on a social
level; seek the patient’s point of view; and consciously attempt to suspend judgment. The “S” stands
for support and includes the behavior of helping the patient overcome barriers. The “P” stands for
partnership and includes the following behaviors: be flexible with regard to issues of control and
stress that you will be working together to address medical problems. The “C” stands for cultural
competence and includes the behavior of knowing your limitations in addressing medical issues
across cultures.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:109
OBJ:Discuss research findings applicable to culturally congruent care.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. A nurse is using the explanatory model to determine the etiology of an illness. Which questions
should the nurse ask? (Select all that apply.)
a.
How should your sickness be treated?
b.
What do you call your problem?
c.
How does this illness work inside your body?
d.
What do you fear most about your sickness?
e.
What name does it have?
ANS: B, C, E
The questions for etiology include “What do you call your problem?” and “What name does it have?”
Recommended treatment is asked by the question “How should your sickness be treated?”
Pathophysiology is asked by the question “How does this illness work inside your body?” The course
of illness is asked by the question “What do you fear most about your sickness?”
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:108
OBJ:Use cultural assessment to plan culturally competent care.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is using Campinha-Bacote’s model of cultural competency to improve cultural care. Which
actions describe the components the nurse is using?
a.
In-depth self-examination of one’s own background
b.
Ability to assess factors that influence treatment and care
c.
Sufficient comparative understanding of diverse groups
d.
Motivation and commitment to continue learning about cultures
e.
Cross-cultural interaction that develops communication skills
1. Cultural skills
2. Cultural desires
3. Cultural awareness
4. Cultural knowledge
5. Cultural encounters
1.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:104-105
OBJ: Describe steps toward developing cultural competence. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
2.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:104-105
OBJ: Describe steps toward developing cultural competence. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
3.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:104-105
OBJ: Describe steps toward developing cultural competence. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
4.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:104-105
OBJ: Describe steps toward developing cultural competence. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
5.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:104-105
OBJ: Describe steps toward developing cultural competence. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 10: Caring for Families
Chapter 10: Caring for Families
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is assessing the family unit to determine the family’s ability to adapt to the change of a
member having surgery. Which area is the nurse monitoring?
a.
Family durability
b.
Family resiliency
c.
Family diversity
d.
Family forms
ANS: B
Family resiliency is the ability of the family to cope with expected and unexpected stressors; it’s the
families’ ability to adapt to changes. Family diversity is the uniqueness of each family unit. Every
person within a family unit has specific needs, strengths, and important developmental
considerations. Family durability is a system of support and structure within a family that extends
beyond the walls of the household. Family forms are patterns of people considered by family
members to be included in the family.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:117 | 122
OBJ: Discuss how the term family reflects family diversity. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse reviews the current trends affecting the family. Which trend will the nurse find?
a.
Mothers are staying at home.
b.
Adolescent mothers usually live on their own.
c.
More grandparents are raising their grandchildren.
d.
Teenage fathers usually have stronger support systems.
ANS: C
More grandparents are raising their grandchildren. The majority of women work outside the home,
and about 60% of mothers are in the workforce. The majority of adolescent mothers continue to live
with their families. Teenage fathers usually have poorer support systems and fewer resources to
teach them how to parent.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:118-119
OBJ: Discuss current trends in the American family. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. A spouse brings the children in to visit their mother in the hospital. The nurse asks how the family
is doing. The husband states, “None of her jobs are getting done, and I don’t do those jobs, so the
house and the kids are falling apart.” How will the nurse interpret this finding?
a.
The family structure is resilient.
b.
The family structure is flexible.
c.
The family structure is hardy.
d.
The family structure is rigid.
ANS: D
A rigid structure specifically dictates who is able to accomplish different tasks and also limits the
number of persons outside the immediate family allowed to assume these tasks. Resiliency helps to
evaluate healthy responses when individuals and families are experiencing stressful events. An
extremely flexible structure also presents problems for the family. There is sometimes an absence of
stability that would otherwise lead to automatic action during a crisis or rapid change. Hardiness is
the internal strength and durability of the family unit characterized by a sense of control over the
outcome of life and an active, rather than passive, orientation in adapting to stressful events.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:121
OBJ:Explain how the relationship between family structure and patterns of functioning affects the
health of individuals within the family and the family as a whole.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4. A nurse cares for the family’s as well as the patient’s needs using available resources. Which
approach is the nurse using?
a.
Family as context
b.
Family as patient
c.
Family as system
d.
Family as caregivers
ANS: C
When you care for the family as a system, you are caring for each family member (family as context)
and the family unit (family as patient), using all available environmental, social, psychological, and
community resources. When you view the family as context, the primary focus is on the health and
development of an individual member existing within a specific environment (i.e., the patient’s
family). When you view the family as patient, the family processes and relationships (e.g., parenting
or family caregiving) are the primary focuses of nursing care. There is no approach for family as
caregivers; rather it is a term to describe family members caring for other family members usually at
home.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:123
OBJ:Compare family as context to family as patient and explain the way these perspectives
influence nursing practice.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
5. A nurse is caring for a patient who needs constant care in the home setting and for whom most of
the care is provided by the patient’s family. Which action should the nurse take to help relieve
stress?
a.
Encourage caregiver to do as much as possible.
b.
Focus primarily on the patient.
c.
Point out weaknesses.
d.
Provide education.
ANS: D
Providing education to the family and caregiver helps relieve some of the stress of caregiving. Help
the family focus on their strengths instead of on problems and weaknesses. While caregivers desire
to care for the loved one, they often feel extreme pressure to do everything; therefore, encouraging
the caregiver to do more will add stress. Focusing primarily on the patient will not be beneficial; the
entire family is the patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:127-128
OBJ:Discuss the role of families and family members as caregivers.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A nurse is working with a patient. When the nurse asks about family members, the patient states
that it includes my spouse, children, and aunt and uncle. How will the nurse describe this type of
family?
a.
Nuclear
b.
Blended
c.
Extended
d.
Alternative
ANS: C
The extended family includes relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins) in addition to the
nuclear family. The nuclear family consists of husband and wife (and perhaps one or more children).
The blended family is formed when parents bring unrelated children from prior adoptive or foster
parenting relationships into a new, joint living situation. Relationships include multi-adult households,
“skip-generation” families (grandparents caring for grandchildren), communal groups with children,
“nonfamilies” (adults living alone), cohabitating partners, and homosexual couples.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:118
OBJ:Discuss common family forms and their health implications.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse is assessing a child that lives in a car with family members who presents to the
emergency department. Which area should the nurse assess closely?
a.
Ears
b.
Eyes
c.
Head
d.
Hands
ANS: A
Children of homeless families are often in fair or poor health and have higher rates of asthma, ear
infections, stomach problems, and mental illness. Eyes, head, and hands are not as important as the
ears.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:119
OBJ: Discuss factors that promote or impede family health. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. The nurse is interviewing a patient who is being admitted to the hospital. The patient’s family went
home before the nurse’s interview. The nurse asks the patient, “Who decides when to come to the
hospital?” What is the rationale for the nurse’s action?
a.
To assess the family form
b.
To assess the family function
c.
To assess the family structure
d.
To assess the family generalization
ANS: C
To assess the family structure, the nurse asks questions that determine the power structure and
patterning of roles and tasks (e.g., “Who decides where to go on vacation?”). When focusing on
family form, the nurse should begin the family assessment by determining the patient’s definition of
family. Family function is the ability of the family to provide emotional support and to cope with health
problems or situations. The question asked by the nurse will not assess that. Nurses do not assess
family generalization.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:121 | 124 | 125
OBJ:Explain how the relationship between family structure and patterns of functioning affects the
health of individuals within the family and the family as a whole.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. A nurse is caring for a patient from a motor vehicle accident. Which action by the unlicensed
assistive personnel will cause the nurse to intervene?
a.
Tells the family not to leave the bedside
b.
Offers the family a sandwich
c.
Gives the family a blanket
d.
Sits with the family
ANS: A
The action of telling the family not to leave is inappropriate and should be corrected. Sometimes
telling the family that you will stay with their loved one while they are gone is all they need to feel
comfortable in leaving. Offering a sandwich, giving a blanket, and sitting with the family are
appropriate and do not require the nurse to intervene. When the victim of trauma is hospitalized,
take time to make sure that the family is comfortable. You can bring them something to eat or drink,
give them a blanket, or encourage them to get a meal.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:120
OBJ: Discuss factors that promote or impede family health. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse is using the family as context approach to provide care to a patient. What should the
nurse do next?
a.
Assess family patterns versus individual characteristics.
b.
Assess how much the family provides the patient’s basic needs.
c.
Use “family as patient” and “family as context” approaches simultaneously.
d.
Plan care to meet not only the patient’s needs but those of the family as well.
ANS: B
When the nurse views the family as context, the primary focus is on the health and development of
an individual member existing within a specific environment (i.e., the patient’s family). Although the
focus is on the individual’s health status, the nurse assesses how much the family provides the
individual’s basic needs. Family patterns are in the realm of “family as patient” approach. Often, the
nurse will use the two simultaneously (family as context and family as patient) with the approach of
“family as system.” “Family as patient” involves planning to meet the needs of the patient and those
of the family as well.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:123
OBJ:Compare family as context to family as patient and explain the way these perspectives
influence nursing practice.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
11. The nurse is caring for a patient in hospice. The nurse notes that the patient is getting adequate
care, but the spouse is not sleeping well. The nurse also assesses the need for better family nutrition
and meals assistance. The nurse discusses these needs with the patient and family and develops a
plan of care with them using community resources. Which approach is the nurse using?
a.
Family as context
b.
Family as patient
c.
Family as system
d.
Family as caregiver
ANS: C
When you care for the family as a system, you are caring for each family member (family as context)
and the family unit (family as patient), using all available environmental, social, psychological, and
community resources. In family as context, the primary focus is on the health of an individual
member. In family as patient, family processes and relationships are the primary focus. Family as
caregiver is not an approach to family-focused nursing but is a term used to describe a family
member caring for another family member.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:123
OBJ:Compare family as context to family as patient and explain the way these perspectives
influence nursing practice.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
12. The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who has no apparent family. When questioned
about family and the definition of family, the patient states, “I have no family. They’re all gone.” When
asked, “Who prepares your meals?” the patient states, “I do, or I go out.” Which approach should the
nurse use for this patient?
a.
Family as context
b.
Family as patient
c.
Family as system
d.
Family as caregiver
ANS: A
If only one family member receives nursing care, it is realistic and practical to use the approach
“family as context.” Although family nursing is based on the assumption that all people regardless of
age are a member of some type of family form, the patient insists that there is no family. The nurse
should investigate further. However, at this time, family as patient or as system is not appropriate.
Family as caregiver is not an approach but rather is a term to describe a family member caring for
another family member.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:123
OBJ: Compare family as context to family as patient and explain the way these perspectives
influence nursing practice. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
13. The nurse is caring for an older adult patient at home who requires teaching for dressing
changes. The spouse and adult child are also involved in changing the dressing. Which statement by
the nurse will most likely elicit a positive response from the patient and family?
a.
“You’re doing that all wrong. Let me show you how to do it.”
b. “I don’t know who showed you how to change a dressing, but you’re not doing it right. Let me show you again.”
c.
“You’re hesitant about changing the dressing like I was before I was shown an easier way; would you like to see?”
d. “I used to change the dressing the same way you are doing it: the wrong way. I’ll show you the right way to do it.”
ANS: C
When the nurse is confident and skillful instead of coming across as an authority on the subject, the
patient’s/family’s defenses will be down, making the patient/family more willing to listen without
feeling embarrassed. Respectful communication is necessary. Saying that you’re doing it wrong,
you’re not doing it right, or the wrong way is not respectful or necessary.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:126
OBJ:Discuss the role of families and family members as caregivers.
TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. The nurse is providing discharge teaching for an older-adult patient who will need tube feedings
at home. The spouse is the only source of care and states “I will not be able to perform the feedings
due to arthritis.” Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Obtain extra feeding supplies.
b.
Arrange for home care.
c.
Cancel the discharge.
d.
Teach the spouse.
ANS: B
Discharge planning with a family involves an accurate assessment of what will be needed for care at
the time of discharge, along with any shortcomings in the home setting. If no one can do the
feedings properly, the nurse will need to arrange for a home care service referral. Extra feeding
supplies will not help the situation if the spouse cannot use them. Canceling the discharge is not an
option. Teaching the spouse will not be effective since the spouse is unable to perform the feeding.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:125
OBJ: Use the nursing process to provide for the health care needs of the family.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is assessing threats concerning the family. Which areas will the nurse include in the
assessment? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Homelessness
b.
Domestic violence
c.
Presence of illness
d.
Changing economic status
e.
Rise of homosexual families
ANS: A, B, C, D
Social scientists have identified five trends as threats facing the family. These include (1) Changing
economic status, (2) homelessness, (3) domestic violence, (4) the presence of acute or chronic
illness or trauma, and (5) end-of-life care. Homosexual families are not a threat facing the family; in
fact, many homosexual couples now define their relationship in family terms.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:119
OBJ: Discuss current trends in the American family. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse is assessing the realms of family life. Which processes will the nurse assess? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Developmental
b.
Interactive
c.
Integrity
d.
Coping
e.
Life
ANS: A, B, C, D
The five realms of family life that should be assessed include: developmental, interactive, integrity,
coping, and health, not life.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:122
OBJ: Use the nursing process to provide for the health care needs of the family.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MATCHING
A nurse is focusing on the interactive processes of family life and is asking the patient questions.
Match the questions the nurse will ask to the interactive process.
a.
Intimacy expression
b.
Social support
c.
Roles
d.
Family nurturing
1. Who is the “peacekeeper” of the family?
2. How are house rules established?
3. How often does the family hug each other?
4. Who at your workplace is close to the family?
1.ANS:CDIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:124
OBJ: Use the nursing process to provide for the health care needs of the family.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2.ANS:DDIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:124
OBJ: Use the nursing process to provide for the health care needs of the family.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3.ANS:ADIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:124
OBJ: Use the nursing process to provide for the health care needs of the family.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4.ANS:BDIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:124
OBJ: Use the nursing process to provide for the health care needs of the family.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 11: Developmental Theories
Chapter 11: Developmental Theories
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When caring for a middle-aged adult exhibiting maladaptive coping skills, the nurse is trying to
determine the cause of the patient’s behavior. Which information from a growth and development
perspective should the nurse consider when planning care?
a.
Individuals have uniform patterns of growth and development.
b.
Culture usually has no effect on predictable patterns of growth and development.
c.
Health is promoted based on how many developmental failures a patient experiences.
d.
When individuals experience repeated developmental failures, inadequacies sometimes result.
ANS: D
If individuals have repeated development failures, inadequacies sometimes result should be
considered. Developmental failures could manifest with ineffective coping skills. However, when an
individual experiences successes, health is promoted. Patients have unique patterns of growth and
development that are not uniform. Nurses must consider the influence of culture and context on
growth and development.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:132
OBJ: Discuss factors influencing growth and development. TOP: Planning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is measuring an infant’s head circumference and height. Which area is the nurse
assessing?
a.
Moral development
b.
Cognitive development
c.
Biophysical development
d.
Psychosocial development
ANS: C
Biophysical development is how our physical bodies grow and change. Moral development is the
difference between right and wrong. Cognitive development comprises changes in intelligence, use
of language, and development of thinking. Psychosocial development consists of variations in
emotions and relationships with others.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:132
OBJ: Describe biophysical developmental theories. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Which question will be most appropriate for a nurse to ask when assessing an adult patient for
growth and developmental delays?
a.
“How many times per week do you exercise?”
b.
“Are you able to stand on one foot for 5 seconds?”
c.
“Would you please describe your usual activities during the day?”
d.
“How many hours a day do you spend watching television or sitting in front of a computer?”
ANS: C
Asking the patient to describe usual daily activities will provide the nurse with useful information
about the patient’s current patterns. Understanding normal growth and development helps nurses
predict, prevent, and detect deviations from patients’ own expected patterns. How many hours are
spent watching television or in front of a computer and how many times the patient exercises in a
week would not provide the nurse with as much information about the patient’s expected patterns
when stated patterns are compared with expected patterns for the patient’s age group to detect
delays. The question about standing on one foot is for a child, not an adult.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:132
OBJ: Discuss nursing implications for the application of developmental principles to patient care.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. A nurse is using the proximodistal pattern to assess an infant’s growth and development as
normal. Which assessment finding will the nurse determine as normal?
a.
Bangs objects before turns
b.
Lifts head before grasps
c.
Walks before crawls
d.
Laughs before coos
ANS: B
Lifting the head before grasping is a normal finding according to proximodistal growth. The
proximodistal growth pattern starts at the center of the body and moves toward the extremities (e.g.,
organ systems in the trunk of the body develop before arms and legs). The infant should turn before
banging objects and crawl before walking according to the proximodistal pattern of growth. The
infant should coo before laughing, but this is not an example of proximodistal; this is an example of
language development.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:133
OBJ: Describe biophysical developmental theories. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A nurse is assessing an 18-month-old toddler. The nurse distinguishes normal from abnormal
findings by remembering Gesell’s theory of development. Which information will the nurse consider?
a.
Growth in humans is determined solely by heredity.
b.
Environmental influence does not influence development.
c.
The cephalocaudal pattern describes the sequence in which growth is fastest at the top.
d.
Gene activity influences development but does not affect the sequence of development.
ANS: C
Gesell’s theory of development states that the cephalocaudal pattern describes the sequence in
which growth is fastest at the top (e.g., head/brain develop faster than arm and leg coordination).
Growth in humans is determined by heredity, genes, and environment. Environment does influence
development. Gesell’s theory states that genes direct the sequence of development, but
environmental factors also influence development, resulting in developmental changes.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:133
OBJ: Describe biophysical developmental theories. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse is working with a patient who wants needs to be met and is impatient and demanding
when these needs are not met immediately. How should the nurse interpret this finding according to
Freud?
a.
The id is functioning.
b.
The ego is functioning.
c.
The superego is functioning.
d.
The Oedipus complex is functioning.
ANS: A
The id is functioning. The id (i.e., basic instinctual impulses driven to achieve pleasure) is the most
primitive part of the personality and originates in the infant. The infant, in this case the patient,
cannot tolerate delay and must have needs met immediately. The ego represents the reality
component, mediating conflicts between the environment and the forces of the id. The ego helps
people judge reality accurately, regulate impulses, and make good decisions. The third component,
the superego, performs regulating, restraining, and prohibiting actions. Often referred to as the
conscience, the superego is influenced by the standards of outside social forces (e.g., parent or
teacher). The child fantasizes about the parent of the opposite sex as his or her first love interest,
known as the Oedipus or Electra complex. By the end of this stage, the child attempts to reduce this
conflict by identifying with the parent of the same sex as a way to win recognition and acceptance.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:133-134
OBJ: Describe and compare the psychoanalytical/psychosocial theories proposed by Freud and
Erikson. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. The nurse is teaching a young-adult couple about promoting the health and psychosocial
development of their 8-year-old child. Which information from the parent indicates a correct
understanding of the teaching?
a.
“We will provide consistent, devoted relationships to meet needs.”
b.
“We will limit choices and provide punishment for mistakes.”
c.
“We will provide proper support for learning new skills.”
d.
“We will instill a strong identity of who our child is.”
ANS: C
An 8-year-child would be in the industry versus inferiority stage of development. During this stage,
the child needs to be praised (proper support) for accomplishments such as learning new skills.
Developing a strong identity is part of the identity versus role confusion stage, usually occurring
during puberty. During the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage, limiting choices and harsh
punishment lead to feelings of shame and doubt. Providing consistent, devoted relationship to meet
needs is usually a part of the trust versus mistrust stage.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:134
OBJ:Describe and compare the psychoanalytical/psychosocial theories proposed by Freud and
Erikson.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. A nurse is using Jean Piaget’s developmental theory to focus on cognitive development. Which
area will the nurse assess in this patient?
a.
Latency
b.
Formal operations
c.
Intimacy versus isolation
d.
The postconventional level
ANS: B
Jean Piaget’s theory includes four stages in sequential order: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete
operations, and formal operations. Intimacy versus isolation is part of Erik Erikson’s psychosocial
theory of development. Latency is stage 4 of Freud’s five-stage psychosexual theory of
development. The postconventional level of reasoning is part of Kohlberg’s theory of moral
development.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:136
OBJ: Describe Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. A nurse is assessing a 17-year-old adolescent’s cognitive development. Which behavior indicates
the adolescent has reached formal operations?
a.
Uses play to understand surroundings
b.
Discusses the topic of justice in society
c.
Hits other students to deal with environmental change
d.
Questions where the ice is hiding when ice has melted in a drink
ANS: B
Discussing the topic of justice demonstrates that the adolescent is concerned about issues that
affect others besides self. In the formal operations period, as adolescents mature, their thinking
moves to abstract and theoretical subjects. They have the capacity to reason with respect to
possibilities. Hitting would be a common schema during the sensorimotor stage of development.
Using play to learn about the environment is indicative of the preoperational stage. During the
concrete operations stage (ages 6 to 12 years), children are able to coordinate two concrete
perspectives in social and scientific thinking, such as understanding the difference between “hiding”
and “melting.”
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:136-137
OBJ: Describe Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. A nurse is caring for a 4-year-old patient. Which object will the nurse allow the child to play with
safely to foster cognitive development?
a.
The pump administering intravenous fluids
b.
A book to read alone in a quiet place
c.
The blood pressure cuff
d.
A baseball bat
ANS: C
Children should be allowed to play with any equipment that is safe, like a blood pressure cuff. A 4year-old child would be in the preoperational period of cognitive development. Children at this stage
are still egocentric. Play is very important to foster cognitive development. The IV pump and bat are
not safe pieces of equipment for a 4-year-old child to play with. A 4-year-old child is of preschool age
and more than likely is not able to read yet. Also, the book does not allow for any human interaction
and communication if he or she reads alone.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:136
OBJ: Describe Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. TOP: Planning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. A patient follows all the instructions a nurse provides because the patient wants to be perceived
as a “good” patient. How should the nurse interpret this information according to moral
development?
a.
The patient is in postformal thought reasoning.
b.
The patient is in postconventional reasoning.
c.
The patient is in preconventional reasoning.
d.
The patient is in conventional reasoning.
ANS: D
The patient is in conventional reasoning, specifically stage 3: Good Boy-Nice Girl Orientation. The
patient wants to win approval from the nurse by “being good.” Developmentalists proposed a fifth
stage of cognitive (not moral) development termed postformal thought. Within this stage, adults
demonstrate the ability to recognize that answers vary from situation to situation and that solutions
need to be sensible. The person finds a balance between basic human rights and obligations and
societal rules and regulations in the level of postconventional reasoning. Individuals move away from
moral decisions based on authority or conformity to groups to define their own moral values and
principles. Preconventional reasoning is the premoral level, in which there is limited cognitive
thinking and the individual’s thinking is primarily egocentric. At this stage, thinking is mostly based on
likes and pleasures.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:137
OBJ: Apply developmental theories when planning interventions in the care of patients throughout
the life span. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
12. An 18-month-old patient is brought into the clinic for evaluation because the parent is concerned.
The 18-month-old child hits siblings and says only “No” when communicating verbally. Which
recommendation by the nurse will be best for this situation?
a.
Assure the mother that the child is developmentally within specified norms.
b.
Encourage the mother to seek psychological counseling for the child.
c.
Consult the social worker because the child is hitting other children.
d.
Remove all toys from the child’s room until this behavior ceases.
ANS: A
Assure the mother that the child is displaying normal behavior. At 18 months, the child is in the
sensorimotor period of development. Piaget describes hitting, looking, grasping, and kicking as
normal schemas to deal with the environment. The social worker does not need to be consulted in
this case nor is psychological counseling warranted, because the child is exhibiting normal
behaviors. Play is an important part of all children’s development. Removing toys and the
opportunity to play with them may actually hinder the child’s development.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:136
OBJ: Discuss nursing implications for the application of developmental principles to patient care.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. A formerly independent older adult becomes severely withdrawn upon admission to a nursing
home. Which action should the nurse take first?
a.
Offer a reward to the patient for participation in all events.
b.
Encourage the patient to eat meals in the dining room with others.
c.
Allow the patient to incorporate personal belongings into the room.
d.
Advise the patient of the importance of attending mandatory activities.
ANS: C
The nurse should first allow the patient to actively participate in an independent activity (the patient
was formerly independent), such as preparing the room with personal belongings. Erikson’s theory
proposes that the older adult faces integrity versus despair. Offering a reward does not address the
need for continued independence. Encouraging eating in the dining room would be a step after fixing
the room since it does not address independence, and the question is asking for the first action.
Advising the patient to attend all mandatory activities as the first intervention does not allow for the
patient’s independence. Some activities may be mandatory, but by first allowing the patient to
decorate room, the nurse is fostering independence and is helping the patient feel welcome and
more at home, fostering integrity.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:134-135
OBJ: Apply developmental theories when planning interventions in the care of patients throughout
the life span. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
14. The nurse is caring for a 14-year-old patient in the hospital. Which goal will be priority?
a.
Maintain industry
b.
Maintain identity
c.
Maintain intimacy
d.
Maintain initiative
ANS: B
According to Erikson, a 14-year-old adolescent is developing an identity versus role confusion.
Maintaining initiative is for 3 to 6 year olds. Maintaining industry is for 6 to 11 year olds. Maintaining
intimacy is for young adults.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:134
OBJ: Discuss nursing implications for the application of developmental principles to patient care.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. The nurse is teaching the parents of a 3-year-old child who is at risk for developmental delays.
Which instruction will the nurse include in the teaching plan?
a.
Insist that your child discuss various points of view.
b.
Encourage play as your child is exploring the surroundings.
c.
Discuss world events with your child to foster language development.
d.
Actively encourage your child to read lengthy books to foster reading abilities.
ANS: B
A 3-year-old child is going to use play to learn and discover the surrounding environment. Children
at this age are egocentric and often are unable to see the world from any perspective other than
their own. Very young children are not able to understand and comment on world events because
their thinking has not advanced to abstract reasoning yet. A 3-year-old child is likely unable to read;
lengthy is not appropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:136
OBJ:Apply developmental theories when planning interventions in the care of patients throughout
the life span.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. A nurse is caring for a young adult after surgery. Which action by the nurse will be priority?
a.
Allow involvement of peers
b.
Allow involvement of partner
c.
Allow involvement of volunteer activities
d.
Allow involvement of consistent schedule
ANS: B
Nurses must understand that during hospitalization, a young adult’s need for intimacy remains
present; thus young adults benefit from the support of their partner or significant other during this
time. Involvement of peers is priority for adolescents. Volunteer activities are priority for middle-aged
adults. Consistent schedule is priority for infants and toddlers.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:134
OBJ: Discuss nursing implications for the application of developmental principles to patient care.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. A nurse takes the history of a middle-aged patient in a health clinic. Which information indicates
the patient has achieved generativity?
a.
Married for 30 years
b.
Teaches preschoolers
c.
Has no regrets with life choices
d.
Cares for aging parents after work
ANS: B
Teaching preschoolers indicates generativity. Middle-aged adults achieve success (generativity) in
this stage by contributing to future generations through parenthood, teaching, mentoring, and
community involvement. Married for 30 years indicates achievement of intimacy. Has no regrets is
ego integrity. Caring for aging parents is admirable but it does not indicate development of the next
generation (generativity).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:134
OBJ: Discuss nursing implications for the application of developmental principles to patient care.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. Which action should the nurse take when teaching a 5-year-old patient about a scheduled
surgery?
a.
Do not discuss the procedure with the child to decrease anxiety.
b.
Let the child know the surgery will be at 9:00 AM in the morning.
c.
Insist that the parents wait outside the room to ensure privacy of the child.
d.
Allow the child to touch and hold medical equipment such as thermometers.
ANS: D
Nursing interventions during the preoperational period (ages 2 to 7 years) should recognize the use
of play (such as handling equipment) to help the child understand the events taking place. The nurse
should talk to the child about the procedure in terms the child can understand. Children at this stage
have difficulty conceptualizing time; telling the child surgery is at 9:00 AM in the morning is
inappropriate. Parents should be allowed in the room.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:136
OBJ:Apply developmental theories when planning interventions in the care of patients throughout
the life span.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A nurse works on a pediatric unit and is using a psychosocial developmental approach to child
care. In which order from the first to the last will the nurse place the developmental stages?
1. Initiative versus guilt
2. Trust versus mistrust
3. Industry versus inferiority
4. Identity versus role confusion
5. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
a.
2, 5, 3, 1, 4
b.
2, 1, 3, 5, 4
c.
2, 3, 1, 5, 4
d.
2, 5, 1, 3, 4
ANS: D
Erikson uses a psychosocial approach to development. The stages are as follows: trust versus
mistrust; autonomy versus shame and doubt; initiative versus guilt; industry versus inferiority; and
identity versus role confusion.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:134
OBJ: Describe and compare the psychoanalytical/psychosocial theories proposed by Freud and
Erikson. TOP: Caring MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is developing a plan of care concerning growth and development for a hospitalized
adolescent. What should the nurse do? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Apply developmental theories when making observations of the adolescent’s patterns of growth and development.
b. Compare the adolescent’s assessment findings versus normal findings.
c.
Recognize her own (the nurse’s) moral developmental level.
d. Stick with one developmental theory for consistency.
e.
Apply a unidimensional life span perspective.
ANS: A, B, C
Today’s nurses need to be knowledgeable about several theoretical perspectives when working with
patients. These theories form the basis for meaningful observation of an individual’s pattern of
growth and development. They provide important guidelines for nurses to recognize deviations from
the norm. Recognizing your own moral developmental level is essential in separating your own
beliefs from those of others when helping patients with their moral decision-making process. No one
theory successfully describes all the intricacies of human growth and development. Growth and
development, as supported by a life span perspective, is multidimensional, not unidimensional.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:138
OBJ: Apply developmental theories when planning interventions in the care of patients throughout
the life span. TOP: Planning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is assessing temperaments of children. Which terms should the nurse use to describe
findings? (Select all that apply.)
a.
The easy child
b.
The defiant child
c.
The difficult child
d.
The slow-to-warm up child
e.
The momma’s boy or daddy’s girl
ANS: A, C, D
Psychiatrists identified three basic classes of temperament: the easy child; the difficult child; and the
slow-to-warm up child. There is no momma’s boy or daddy’s girl or defiant child.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:135
OBJ: Apply developmental theories when planning interventions in the care of patients throughout
the life span. TOP: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 12: Conception Through Adolescence
Chapter 12: Conception Through Adolescence
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A mother has delivered a healthy newborn. Which action is priority?
a.
Encourage close physical contact as soon as possible after birth.
b.
Isolate the newborn in the nursery during the first hour after delivery.
c.
Never leave the newborn alone with the mother during the first 8 hours after delivery.
d.
Do not allow the newborn to remain with parents until the second hour after delivery.
ANS: A
After immediate physical evaluation and application of identification bracelets, the nurse promotes
the parents’ and newborn’s need for close physical contact. Early parent-child interaction
encourages parent-child attachment. Most healthy newborns are awake and alert for the first halfhour after birth. This is a good time for parent-child interaction to begin. No evidence in the scenario
suggests that the baby cannot be left alone with the parents during the first 8 hours or that the baby
should remain in the nursery during the first hour.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:142
OBJ: Discuss common physiological and psychosocial health concerns during the transition of the
child from intrauterine to extrauterine life. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse teaches a new mother about the associated health risks to the infant. Which statement by
the mother indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
a.
“I will feed my baby every 4 hours around-the-clock.”
b.
“I need to leave the blankets off my baby to prevent smothering.”
c.
“I need to remind friends who want to hold my baby to wash their hands.”
d.
“I will throw away the bulb syringe now because my baby is breathing fine.”
ANS: C
Good handwashing technique is the most important factor in protecting the newborn from infection.
You can help prevent infection by instructing parents and visitors to wash their hands before
touching the infant. The nurse can help parents identify ways to meet needs by counseling them to
feed their baby on demand rather than on a rigid schedule.
Newborns are susceptible to heat loss and cold stress. Place the healthy newborn directly on the
mother’s abdomen, covering with warm blankets. Removal of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal
secretions remains a priority of care to maintain a patent airway; keeping the bulb syringe is
important.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:142
OBJ: Discuss common physiological and psychosocial health concerns during the transition of the
child from intrauterine to extrauterine life. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse is working in the delivery room. Which action is priority immediately after birth?
a.
Open the airway.
b.
Determine gestational age.
c.
Monitor infant-parent interactions.
d.
Promote parent-newborn physical contact.
ANS: A
Opening the airway is the priority. The most extreme physiological change occurs when the newborn
leaves the utero circulation and develops independent respiratory functioning. Direct nursing care
includes maintaining an open airway, stabilizing and maintaining body temperature, and protecting
the newborn from infection. After immediate physical evaluation and application of identification
bracelets, the nurse promotes the parents’ and newborn’s need for close physical contact. Following
a comprehensive physical assessment, the nurse assesses gestational age and interactions
between infant and parents.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:142
OBJ: Discuss common physiological and psychosocial health concerns during the transition of the
child from intrauterine to extrauterine life. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse is assessing a newborn that was just born. Which newborn finding will cause the nurse to
intervene immediately?
a.
Molding
b.
A lack of reflexes
c.
Cyanotic hands and feet
d.
A soft, protuberant abdomen
ANS: B
A lack of reflexes must be addressed quickly. Assessment of these reflexes is vital because the
newborn depends largely on reflexes for survival and in response to its environment. Molding, or
overlapping of the soft skull bones, allows the fetal head to adjust to various diameters of the
maternal pelvis and is a common occurrence with vaginal births. Normal physical characteristics
include the continued presence of lanugo on the skin of the back; cyanosis of the hands and feet for
the first 24 hours; and a soft, protuberant abdomen.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:143
OBJ: Discuss common physiological and psychosocial health concerns during the transition of the
child from intrauterine to extrauterine life. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A nurse performs an assessment on a healthy newborn. Which assessment finding will the nurse
document as normal?
a.
Cyanosis of the feet and hands for the first 48 hours
b.
Triangle-shaped anterior fontanel
c.
Sporadic motor movements
d.
Weight of 4800 grams
ANS: C
Movements in the newborn are generally sporadic, but they are symmetric and involve all four
extremities. Cyanosis of the hands and feet is normal for the first 24 hours, not 48 hours. The
diamond shape of the anterior fontanel and the triangular shape of the posterior fontanel are found
between the unfused bones of the skull. The average newborn is 2700 to 4000 grams (6 to 9
pounds), not 4800 grams.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:143
OBJ: Describe characteristics of physical growth of the unborn child and from birth to adolescence.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse is teaching the staff about development. Which information indicates the nurse needs to
follow up?
a.
“Development proceeds in a cephalocaudal pattern.”
b.
“Development proceeds in a proximal-distal pattern.”
c.
“Development proceeds at a slower rate during the embryonic stage.”
d.
“Development proceeds at a predictive rate from the moment of conception.”
ANS: C
Development proceeds at a slower rate during embryonic stage indicates the nurse needs to follow
up to correct the misconception. From the moment of conception until birth, human development
proceeds at a predictive and rapid rate. All the rest of the information is correct and does not need
follow-up. Development proceeds in a cephalocaudal and proximal-distal pattern.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:141
OBJ: Describe characteristics of physical growth of the unborn child and from birth to adolescence.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. A nurse is comparing physical growth patterns between school-aged children and adolescents.
Which principle should the nurse consider?
a.
Physical growth usually slows during the adolescent period.
b.
Secondary sex characteristics usually develop during the adolescent years.
c.
Boys usually exceed girls in height and weight by the end of the school years.
d.
The distribution of muscle and fat remains constant during the adolescent years.
ANS: B
Sexual maturation in adolescence occurs with the development of primary and secondary sexual
characteristics. Physical growth usually slows during the school-aged period, and then a growth
spurt occurs during adolescence. Girls usually exceed boys in height and weight by the end of the
school years. As height and weight increase during adolescence, the distribution of muscle and fat
changes.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:153
OBJ: Describe characteristics of physical growth of the unborn child and from birth to adolescence.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. The parent brings a child to the clinic for a 12-month well visit. The child weighed 6 pounds 2
ounces and was 21 inches long at birth. Which finding will cause the nurse to intervene?
a.
Height of 30 inches
b.
Weight of 16 pounds
c.
Is not yet potty-trained
d.
Is not yet walking up stairs
ANS: B
Size increases rapidly during the first year of life. Birth weight doubles in approximately 5 months
and triples by 12 months. This infant should weigh at least 18 (6 × 3) pounds by this calculation. This
child needs the nurse to intervene for further assessment. Height increases an average of 1 inch
during each of the first 6 months and about 1/2 inch each month until 12 months: 21 + 6 + 3 = 30 (30
inches is the predicted height). Patterns of body function are just now starting to stabilize. It is quite
normal for a 12-month-old child to not be potty-trained or walking up stairs yet. These milestones
usually occur in the toddler period of development (12 to 36 months).
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:145
OBJ: Describe characteristics of physical growth of the unborn child and from birth to adolescence.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. A nurse is assessing the cognitive changes in a preschooler. Which standard will the nurse use to
determine normal?
a.
The ability to think abstractly and deal effectively with hypothetical problems
b.
The ability to think in a logical manner about the here and now
c.
The ability to assume the view of another person
d.
The ability to classify objects by size or color
ANS: D
Preschoolers demonstrate their ability to think more complexly by classifying objects according to
size or color. Cognitive changes that provide the ability to think in a logical manner about the here
and now occur during the school-aged years. It is during the teenaged years when the individual
thinks abstractly and deals effectively with hypothetical problems. The toddler is unable to assume
the view of another.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:149
OBJ: Describe cognitive and psychosocial development from birth to adolescence.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. The nurse is teaching a parenting class. One of the topics is development. Which statement from
a parent indicates more teaching is needed?
a.
“The toddler may use parallel play.”
b.
“The preschooler has the ability to play in small groups.”
c.
“The school-aged child still needs total assistance in all safety activities.”
d.
“The toddler may have temper tantrums from parent’s acting on safety rules.”
ANS: C
At this age (school-age), encourage children to take responsibility for their own safety.
The toddler continues to engage in solitary play but also begins to participate in parallel play, which
is playing beside rather than with another child. The play of preschool children becomes more social
after the third birthday as it shifts from parallel to associative play with others in small groups. The
toddler’s strong will is frequently exhibited in negative behavior when caregivers attempt to direct
actions. Temper tantrums result when parental restrictions frustrate toddlers.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:153
OBJ: Describe cognitive and psychosocial development from birth to adolescence.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. The nurse is observing a 2-year-old hospitalized patient in the playroom. Which activity will the
nurse most likely observe?
a.
Seeking out same sex children to play with
b.
Participating as the leader of a small group activity
c.
Sitting beside another child while playing with blocks
d.
Separating building blocks into groups by size and color
ANS: C
The child beside another child and playing is exhibiting parallel play, characteristic of a toddler.
Participating as a group leader does not usually occur until around age 5. Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5)
demonstrate their ability to think more complexly by classifying objects according to size or color. A
2-year-old child does not have this ability yet. Gender does not become a factor until the child
reaches school-age when the child prefers same sex peers to opposite sex peers.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:148
OBJ: Explain the role of play in the development of a child. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. A nurse is communicating with a newly admitted teenaged patient. Which action should the
nurse take?
a. Avoid questioning the patient about cigarette use when the nurse observes a cigarette lighter lying on the bedside table.
b. Complete the admission database as quickly as possible by asking yes and no questions.
c. Look for meaning behind the patient’s words and actions.
d. Ignore the patient’s withdrawn behavior.
ANS: C
Good communication skills are critical for adolescents. Look for meaning behind the adolescent’s
words and actions. Following are some hints for communicating with adolescents: Do not avoid
discussing sensitive issues. Asking questions about sex, drugs, and school opens the channels for
further discussion. Ask open-ended questions. (Yes and no questions are closed-ended questions.)
The nurse should inquire about a patient’s withdrawn behavior to seek out the meaning of such
behaviors. Be alert to clues about adolescents’ emotional states.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:154
OBJ: Describe cognitive and psychosocial development from birth to adolescence.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. A nurse is caring for a preschooler. Which fear should the nurse most plan to minimize?
a.
Fear of bodily harm
b.
Fear of weight gain
c.
Fear of separation
d.
Fear of strangers
ANS: A
The greatest fear of preschoolers appears to be that of bodily harm; this is evident in children’s fear
of the dark, animals, thunderstorms, and medical personnel. Toddlers who become ill and require
hospitalization are most stressed by the separation from their parents. Persons with anorexia
nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight. By 8 months, most infants are able to differentiate a
stranger from a familiar person and respond differently to the two.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:150
OBJ: Describe cognitive and psychosocial development from birth to adolescence.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. A nurse is teaching a class about the effects of nutrition on fetal growth and development. A
pregnant patient asks the nurse how much weight should normally be gained over the pregnancy.
Which information should the nurse share with the patient?
a.
About 10 to 20 pounds
b.
About 15 to 25 pounds
c.
About 20 to 30 pounds
d.
About 25 to 35 pounds
ANS: D
The diet of a woman both before and during pregnancy has a significant effect on fetal development.
For women who are at normal weight for height, the recommended weight gain is 25 to 35 pounds
over three trimesters. Weight gains of 10 to 20, 15 to 25, and 20 to 30 pounds are too low.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:142
OBJ: Discuss common physiological and psychosocial health concerns during the transition of the
child from intrauterine to extrauterine life. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. The nurse is caring for an infant. Which activity is most appropriate for the nurse to offer to the
infant?
a.
Set of cards to organize and separate into groups
b.
Set of sock puppets with movable eyes
c.
Set of plastic stacking rings
d.
Set of paperback book
ANS: C
Adults and nurses facilitate infant learning by planning activities that promote the development of
milestones and providing toys that are safe for the infant to explore with the mouth and manipulate
with the hands such as rattles, wooden blocks, plastic stacking rings, squeezable stuffed animals,
and busy boxes. Preschoolers demonstrate their ability to think more complexly by classifying
objects according to size or color, making the cards more appropriate for them. Neither group is
ready for paperback books. The sock puppet with movable eyes could create a choking hazard if
one of the eyes comes off.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:146
OBJ: Explain the role of play in the development of a child. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. A mother expresses concern because her 5-year-old child frequently talks about friends who
don’t exist. What is the nurse’s best response to this mother’s concern?
a.
“Have you considered a child psychological evaluation?”
b.
“You should stop your child from playing electronic games.”
c.
“Pretend play is a sign your child watches too much television.”
d.
“It’s very normal for a child this age to have imaginary playmates.”
ANS: D
At age 5, some children have imaginary playmates. Imaginary playmates are a sign of health and
allow the child to distinguish between reality and fantasy. The child does not need a psychological
evaluation because this is normal behavior. Television, videos, electronic games, and computer
programs help support development and the learning of basic skills. However, these should be only
one part of the child’s total play activities. Pretend play is not a sign of watching too much television.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:150
OBJ:Explain the role of play in the development of a child.
TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. A school nurse is encouraging children to play a game of kickball. Which group of children is the
nurse most likely addressing?
a.
Infant
b.
Toddler
c.
Preschool
d.
School-aged
ANS: D
A game of kickball would be best suited for school-aged children because in this age group, play
involves peers and the pursuit of group goals. Although solitary activities are not eliminated, group
play overshadows them. Younger children typically are not able to participate cooperatively in
groups yet. Infants begin to play simple social games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo. Toddlers
engage in solitary play but also begin to participate in parallel play. Preschoolers playing together
engage in similar if not identical activities; however, no division of labor or rigid organization or rules
are observed. By the age of 5, the group has a temporary leader for each activity.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:152
OBJ: Explain the role of play in the development of a child. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. Which assessment finding of a school-aged patient should alert the nurse to a possible
developmental delay?
a.
Verbalization of “I have no friends”
b.
Absence of secondary sex characteristics
c.
Curiosity about sexuality
d.
Lack of group identity
ANS: A
School-aged children should begin to develop friendships and to socialize with others. Interaction
with peers allows them to define their own accomplishments in relation to others as they work to
develop a positive self-image. The absence of secondary sex characteristics is a major concern of
adolescents, not school-aged children, because physical evidence of maturity encourages the
development of masculine and feminine behaviors in the adolescent. Lack of group relationships is
also a concern of adolescents, not of school-aged children, because adolescents seek a group
identity to fulfill their esteem and acceptance needs. Today many researchers believe that schoolaged children have a great deal of curiosity about their sexuality. Some experiment, but this is
usually transitory.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:152
OBJ: Explain the role of play in the development of a child. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. The nurse is teaching a parent about developmental needs of a 9-month-old infant. Which
statement from the parent indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
a.
“My child will begin to speak in sentences by 1 year of age.”
b.
“My child will probably enjoy playing peek-a-boo.”
c.
“My child will sleep about 7 to 8 hours a night.”
d.
“My child will be ready to try low-fat milk.”
ANS: B
By 9 months, infants play simple social games such as patty-cake and peek-a-boo. By 1 year,
infants not only recognize their own names but are also able to say three to five words and
understand almost 100 words; a 2 year old is generally able to speak in two-word sentences. The
use of whole cow’s milk, 2% cow’s milk, or alternate milk products before the age of 12 months is not
recommended. By 6 months, most infants are nocturnal and sleep between 9 and 11 hours at night.
Total daily sleep averages 15 hours.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:152
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
20. A nurse is teaching the parents of a school-aged child about accidents most common in this age
group. Which topic should the nurse address?
a.
Falls
b.
Fires
c.
Drownings
d.
Poisonings
ANS: B
Because accidents such as fires and car and bicycle crashes are the leading cause of death and
injury in the school-age period, safety is a priority health teaching consideration. Falls, drownings,
and poisonings are priority for toddlers.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:153
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
21. Which information from the parent of an 8-month-old infant will cause the nurse to intervene?
a.
My baby rides in the front-facing car seat when I go to the grocery store.
b.
I made sure the slats on the crib were less than 2 inches apart.
c.
I removed the mobile after my baby could reach it.
d.
My baby cries every time he sees a new person.
ANS: A
The nurse should intervene when parents let infants and toddlers ride in a front-facing car seat. All
infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat until they are 2 years of age or until
they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer or their car safety seat. Parents
also need to inspect an older crib to make sure the slats are no more than 6 cm (2.4 inches) apart.
Instruct parents to remove mobiles as soon as the infant is able to reach them. By 8 months, most
infants are able to differentiate a stranger from a familiar person and respond differently to the two;
this is a normal finding.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:144
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
22. The nurse is preparing to teach a group of parents with infants about growth and development.
Which information should the nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
3-month-old infants will be able to bang objects together.
b.
4-month-old infants will be able to sit alone with support.
c.
5-month-old infants will be able to creep on hands and knees.
d.
6-month-old infants will be able to turn from back to abdomen.
ANS: D
6-month-old infants will be able to turn from back to abdomen. 6 to 8 month olds can sit alone
without support and bang objects together. 8 to 10 month olds can creep on hands and knees.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:145
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
23. Which statement, if made by a parent, will require further instruction from the nurse?
a.
“I should not be surprised that my teenage son has so many friends.”
b.
“I get worried because my teenage son thinks he’s indestructible.”
c.
“I should cover for my 10-year-old son when he makes mistakes until he learns the ropes.”
d.
“I usually have nutritious snacks available because my 10-year-old son is always hungry right after school.”
ANS: C
The nurse will need to teach the parent of a school-aged child covering for the child’s mistakes; this
is a misconception that needs to be corrected. Parents have to learn to allow their school-aged child
(6 to 12 years old) to make decisions, accept responsibility, and learn from life’s experiences. All the
other statements are normal and do not need further teaching. Teenagers typically are very social
and have many friends. Adolescents seek a group identity because they need esteem and
acceptance. Adolescents feel they are indestructible, which leads to risk-taking behaviors. Schoolage children are developing eating patterns that are independent of parental supervision. Having
nutritious snacks available is a healthy option.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:151
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
24. A nurse is teaching parents about appropriate activities for different age groups. Which toy, if
selected by the parent of a 12-month-old infant, will indicate a correct understanding of the teaching?
a.
Busy box
b.
Electronic games
c.
Game requiring two to four people
d.
Small, plastic alphabet letters and magnets
ANS: A
Adults facilitate infant learning by planning activities that promote the development of milestones and
by providing toys that are safe for the infant to explore with the mouth and manipulate with the
hands, such as rattles, wooden blocks, plastic stacking rings, squeezable stuffed animals, and busy
boxes. For the toddler (not the infant), television, videos, electronic games, and computer programs
help support development and learning of basic skills. Infants are not capable of participating in
small group activities. By age 4, children play in groups of two or three. Adults should provide toys
that are safe for the infant to explore with the mouth. Small, plastic letters and magnets could be
choking hazards for an infant.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:146
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is teaching a parenting class for families with adolescents. Which health concerns will the
nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Suicide
b.
Eating disorders
c.
Violence/Homicide
d.
Sexually transmitted infections
e.
Gonadotropic hormone stimulation
ANS: A, B, C, D
Suicide is a major leading cause of death in adolescents 15 to 24 years of age. Adolescent
overweight and obesity are current concerns in the United States, and most teens try dieting at some
time to control weight. Unfortunately the number of eating disorders is on the rise in adolescent girls.
Homicide is the second leading cause of death in the 15- to 24-year-old age-group, and for AfricanAmerican teenagers it is the most likely cause of death. Sexually transmitted diseases annually
affect three million sexually active adolescents. Gonadotropic hormones stimulate ovarian cells to
produce estrogen and testicular cells to produce testosterone. These hormones are normally
occurring and contribute to the development of secondary sex characteristics, such as hair growth
and voice changes, and play an essential role in reproduction. It is not a health concern.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:155-156
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MATCHING
A nurse is teaching parents about the fine motor skills of infants to help parents understand
development growth and needs. Match the information to the correct age that the nurse should
include in the teaching session.
a.
Can place objects into containers
b.
Pulls a string to obtain an object
c.
Can hold a baby bottle
d.
Holds rattle for short periods
e.
Uses pincer grasp well
1. 2 to 4 months
2. 4 to 6 months
3. 6 to 8 months
4. 8 to 10 months
5. 10 to 12 months
1.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:145
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:145
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:145
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:145
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:145
OBJ: Discuss ways in which the nurse is able to help parents meet their child’s developmental
needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 13: Young and Middle Adults
Chapter 13: Young and Middle Adults
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a young adult. Which goal is priority?
a.
Maintain peer relationships.
b.
Maintain family relationships.
c.
Maintain parenteral relationships.
d.
Maintain recreational relationships.
ANS: B
Family is important during young adulthood. Challenges may include the demands of working and
raising families. Peer is more important in the adolescent years. Young adults are much freer from
parental control. While recreation is important, the family and work are the priorities in young adults.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:159
OBJ: List and discuss major life events of young and middle adults and the childbearing family.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. The nurse is caring for a hospitalized young-adult male who works as a dishwasher at a local
restaurant. He states that he would like to get a better job but has no education. How can the
nurse best assist this patient psychosocially?
a.
By providing information and referrals
b.
By focusing on the patient’s medical diagnoses
c.
By telling the patient that he needs to go back to school
d.
By expecting the patient to be flexible in decision making
ANS: A
Support from the nurse, access to information, and appropriate referrals provide opportunities for
achievement of a patient’s potential. Health is not merely the absence of disease (focusing on
medical diagnoses) but involves wellness in all human dimensions. Telling a patient what to do (go
back to school) is inappropriate. Each person (not the nurse) needs to make these decisions based
on individual factors. Insecure persons tend to be more rigid in making decisions.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:160
OBJ: Discuss cognitive and psychosocial changes occurring during the adult years.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Which goal is priority when the nurse is caring for a middle-aged adult?
a.
Maintain immediate family relationships.
b.
Maintain future generation relationships.
c.
Maintain personal career relationships.
d.
Maintain work relationships.
ANS: B
Many middle-aged adults find particular joy in helping their children and other young people become
productive and responsible adults. While immediate family is important, this goal is priority in young
adults, not as important in middle-aged adults. During this period, personal and career achievements
have often already been experienced; therefore, these goals are not priority.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:166
OBJ: List and discuss the major life events of young and middle adults and the childbearing family.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. A nurse is teaching young adults about health risks. Which statement from a young adult indicates
a correct understanding of the teaching?
a.
“It’s probably safe for me to start smoking. At my age, there’s not enough time for cancer to develop.”
b.
“My mother had appendicitis so this increases my chance for developing appendicitis.”
c.
“Controlling the amount of stress in my life may decrease the risk of illness.”
d.
“I don’t do drugs. I do drink coffee, but caffeine is not a drug.”
ANS: C
Lifestyle habits that activate the stress response increase the risk of illness; so, controlling this will
decrease risk. Smoking is a well-documented risk factor for pulmonary, cardiac, and vascular
disease as well as cancer in smokers and in individuals who receive secondhand smoke. The
presence of certain chronic illnesses (not acute illnesses—appendicitis) in the family increases the
family member’s risk of developing a disease. Caffeine is a naturally occurring legal stimulant that is
readily available. Caffeine stimulates catecholamine release, which, in turn, stimulates the central
nervous system; it also increases gastric acid secretion, heart rate, and basal metabolic rate.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:162
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A nurse is choosing an appropriate topic for a young-adult health fair. Which topic should the
nurse include?
a.
Retirement
b.
Menopause
c.
Climacteric factors
d.
Unplanned pregnancies
ANS: D
Unplanned pregnancies are a continued source of stress that can result in adverse health outcomes
for the mother (young adult), infant, and family. Retirement is an issue for middle-aged, not young
adults. The onset of menopause and the climacteric affect the sexual health of the middle-aged
adult, not the young adult.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:163
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse is assessing the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) for patients. Which population
should the nurse focus on most for IVP?
a.
White males
b.
Pregnant females
c.
Middle-aged adults
d.
Nonsubstance abusers
ANS: B
The greatest risk of violence occurs during the reproductive years. A pregnant woman has a 35.6%
greater risk of being a victim of IPV than a nonpregnant woman. White males, middle-aged adults,
and nonsubstance abusers are not as high risk as pregnant women.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:163
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. A patient states that she is pregnant and concerned because she does not know what to expect,
and she wants her husband to play an active part in the birthing process. Which information should
the nurse share with the patient?
a.
Lamaze classes can prepare pregnant women and their partners for what is coming.
b.
The frequency of sexual intercourse is key to helping the husband feel valued.
c.
After the birth, the stress of pregnancy will disappear and will be replaced by relief.
d.
After the baby is born, the wife should accept the extra responsibilities of motherhood.
ANS: A
Childbirth education classes (like Lamaze) can prepare pregnant women, their partners, and other
support persons to participate in the birthing process. The psychodynamic aspect of sexual activity is
as important as the type or frequency of sexual intercourse to young adults; however, this does not
relate to the issue the patient reports (lack of knowledge and participation). The stress that many
women experience after childbirth has a significant impact on the health of postpartum women.
Ideally partners should share all responsibilities; however, this does not relate to the patient’s
concerns.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:161
OBJ: Describe developmental tasks of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. Which information from the nurse indicates a correct understanding of emerging adulthood?
a.
It is a type of young adulthood.
b.
It is a type of extended adolescence.
c.
It is a type of independent exploration.
d.
It is a type of marriage and parenthood.
ANS: C
This newly identified stage of development from age 18 to 25 (emerging adulthood) has been
described as neither an extended adolescence, as it is much freer from parental control and is much
more a period of independent exploration, nor young adulthood, as most young people in their
twenties have not made the transitions historically associated with adult status, especially marriage
and parenthood.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:159
OBJ:Discuss development theories of young and middle adults.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. A nurse is planning care for a 30 year old. Which goal is priority?
a.
Refine self-perception.
b.
Master career plans.
c.
Examine life goals.
d.
Achieve intimacy.
ANS: B
From 29 to 34, the person directs enormous energy toward achievement and mastery of the
surrounding world. The years from 35 to 43 are a time of vigorous examination of life goals and
relationships. Between the ages of 23 and 28, the person refines self-perception and ability for
intimacy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:160
OBJ: Discuss cognitive and psychosocial changes occurring during the adult years.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. A nurse is planning care for young-adult patients. Which information should the nurse consider
when planning care?
a.
Fertility issues do not occur in young adulthood.
b.
Young adults tend to suffer more from severe illness.
c.
Substance abuse is easy to observe in young-adult patients.
d.
Young adults are quite active but are at risk for illness in later years.
ANS: D
Young adults are generally active and experience severe illnesses less frequently. However, their
lifestyles may put them at risk for illnesses or disabilities during their middle or older-adult years. An
estimated 10% to 15% of reproductive couples are infertile, and many are young adults. Substance
abuse is not always diagnosable, particularly in its early stages.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:160
OBJ: Describe normal physical changes in young and middle adulthood and pregnancy.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. During a routine physical assessment, the nurse obtaining a health history notes that a 50-yearold female patient reports pain and redness in the right breast. Which action is best for the nurse to
take in response to this finding?
a.
Assess the patient as thoroughly as possible.
b.
Explain to the patient that breast tenderness is normal at her age.
c.
Tell the patient that redness is not a cause for concern and is quite common.
d.
Inform her that redness is the precursor to normal unilateral breast enlargement.
ANS: A
A comprehensive assessment offers direction for health promotion recommendations, as well as for
planning and implementing any acutely needed intervention. Redness or painful breasts are
abnormal physical assessment findings in the middle-aged adult. Increased size of one breast is an
abnormal physical assessment finding in the middle-aged adult.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:166
OBJ: Describe normal physical changes in young and middle adulthood and pregnancy.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. A 55-year-old female presents to the outpatient clinic describing irregular menstrual periods and
hot flashes. Which information should the nurse share with the patient?
a.
The patient’s assessment points toward normal menopause.
b.
Those symptoms are normal when a woman undergoes the climacteric.
c.
An assessment is not really needed because these problems are normal for older women.
d.
The patient should stop regular exercise because that is probably causing these symptoms.
ANS: A
The most significant physiological changes during middle age are menopause in women and the
climacteric in men. Menopause typically occurs between 45 and 60 years of age. The nurse should
continue with the examination because a comprehensive assessment offers direction for health
promotion recommendations, as well as for planning and implementing any acutely needed
interventions. Exercise should not be stopped, especially in middle-aged adults.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:166
OBJ: Describe normal physical changes in young and middle adulthood and pregnancy.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. The nurse is teaching a class to pregnant women about common physiological changes during
pregnancy. Which information should the nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
Pregnancy is not a time to be having sexual activity.
b.
Urinary frequency will occur early in the pregnancy.
c.
Breast tenderness should be reported as soon as possible.
d.
Late in the pregnancy Braxton Hicks contraction may occur.
ANS: D
During the third trimester (late pregnancy), increases in Braxton Hicks contractions (irregular, short
contractions), fatigue, and urinary frequency (not early) occur. Normally, women commonly have
morning sickness, breast enlargement and tenderness, and fatigue. Women need to be reassured
that sexual activity will not harm the fetus.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:165
OBJ: Describe normal physical changes in young and middle adulthood and pregnancy.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. A nurse discusses the risks of repeated sun exposure with a young-adult patient. Which
response will the nurse most expect from this patient?
a.
“I should consider participating in a health fair about safe sun practices.”
b.
“I’ll make an appointment with my doctor right away for a full skin check.”
c.
“I’ve had this mole my whole life. So what if it changed color? My skin is fine.”
d.
“I have a mole that has been bothering me. I’ll call my family doctor for an appointment to get it checked.”
ANS: C
Most typically young adults would say that their skin is fine. Young adults often ignore physical
symptoms and often postpone seeking health care. Making an appointment right away with the
doctor and participating in health fairs are not typical behaviors of young adults for the same reason.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:160
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. Upon assessment of a middle-aged adult, the nurse observes uneven weight bearing and
decreased range of joint motion. Which area is priority?
a.
Abuse potential
b.
Fall precautions
c.
Stroke prevention
d.
Self-esteem issues
ANS: B
With uneven weight bearing and decreased range of joint motion, falling is a priority. Abuse potential
would indicate other findings such as bruising or unkept appearance. While stroke prevention is
important in a middle-aged adult, these are not the signs of stroke. While self-esteem issues may
arise from physical changes, safety is a priority over self-esteem issues.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:167
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. A young-adult patient is brought to the hospital by police after crashing the car in a high-speed
chase when trying to avoid arrest for spousal abuse. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Question the patient about drug use.
b.
Offer the patient a cup of coffee to calm nerves.
c.
Discretely assess the patient for sexually transmitted infections.
d.
Deal with the issue at hand, not asking about previous illnesses.
ANS: A
Reports of arrests because of driving while intoxicated, wife or child abuse, or disorderly conduct are
reasons for the nurse to investigate the possibility of drug abuse more carefully. Caffeine is a
naturally occurring legal stimulant that stimulates the central nervous system and is not the choice
for calming nerves. Although sexually transmitted infections occur in the young adult, this is not an
action a nurse should take in this situation. The nurse may obtain important information by making
specific inquiries about past medical problems, changes in food intake or sleep patterns, and
problems of emotional lability.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:163
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
17. A nurse determines that a middle-aged patient is a typical example of the “sandwich generation.”
What did the nurse discover the patient is caught between?
a.
Job responsibilities or family responsibilities
b.
Stopping old habits and starting new ones
c.
Caring for children and aging parents
d.
Advancing in career or retiring
ANS: C
Middle-aged adults also begin to help aging parents while being responsible for their own children,
placing them in the sandwich generation. It does not include job and family responsibilities; old
habits and new ones; or career and retiring.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:166
OBJ: Discuss the significance of family in the life of the adult. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is assessing a middle-aged patient’s barriers to change in eating habits. Which areas will
the nurse assess that are external barriers? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Lack of facilities
b.
Lack of materials
c.
Lack of knowledge
d.
Lack of social supports
e.
Lack of short- and long-term goals
ANS: A, B, D
External barriers to change include lack of facilities, materials, and social supports. Internal barriers
are lack of knowledge, insufficient skills, and undefined short- and long-term goals.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:169
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A home health nurse is providing care to a middle-aged couple with children at home. The patient
has a debilitating chronic illness. Which areas will the nurse need to assess? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Adherence to treatment and rehabilitation regimens
b.
Coping mechanisms of patient and family
c.
Need for community services or referrals
d.
Knowledge base of patient only
e.
Use of a doula for care
ANS: A, B, C
Along with the current health status of the chronically ill middle-aged adult, you need to assess the
knowledge base of both the patient and family. In addition, you must determine the coping
mechanisms of the patient and family; adherence to treatment and rehabilitation regimens; and the
need for community and social services, along with appropriate referrals. A doula is a support
person to be present during labor to assist women who have no other source of support.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:170
OBJ: Discuss the significance of family in the life of the adult. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. A nurse is providing prenatal care to a first-time mother. Which information will the nurse share
with the patient? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Regular trend for postpartum depression
b.
Protection against urinary infection
c.
Strategies for empty nest syndrome
d.
Exercise patterns
e.
Proper diet
ANS: B, D, E
Prenatal care includes a thorough physical assessment of the pregnant woman during regularly
scheduled intervals. Information regarding STIs and other vaginal infections and urinary infections
that will adversely affect the fetus and counseling about exercise patterns, diet, and child care are
important for a pregnant woman. Empty nest syndrome occurs as children leave the home.
Postpartum depression is rare.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:165
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MATCHING
A nurse is assessing young and middle-aged adults for work-related conditions. Match the job to the
work-related conditions that the nurse is assessing.
a.
Liver disease
b.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
c.
Asbestosis
d.
Farmer’s lung
e.
Bladder cancer
1. Insulators
2. Dry cleaners
3. Dye workers
4. Office computer workers
5. Agricultural workers
1.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:164
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:164
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:164
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:164
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:164
OBJ: Describe health concerns of the young adult, the childbearing family, and the middle adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 14: Older Adult
Chapter 14: Older Adult
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is obtaining a history on an older adult. Which finding will the nurse most typically find?
a.
Lives in a nursing home
b.
Lives with a spouse
c.
Lives divorced
d.
Lives alone
ANS: B
In 2012, 57% of older adults in non-institutional settings lived with a spouse (45% of older women,
71% of older men); 28% lived alone (35% of older women, 19% of older men); and only 3.5% of all
older adults resided in institutions such as nursing homes or centers. Most older adults have lost a
spouse due to death rather than divorce.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:173
OBJ:Identify common myths and stereotypes about older adults.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is developing a plan of care for an older adult. Which information will the nurse consider?
a.
Should be standardized because most geriatric patients have the same needs
b.
Needs to be individualized to the patient’s unique needs
c.
Focuses on the disabilities that all aging persons face
d.
Must be based on chronological age alone
ANS: B
Every older adult is unique, and the nurse needs to approach each one as a unique individual. The
nursing care of older adults poses special challenges because of great variation in their
physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial health. Aging does not automatically lead to disability and
dependence. Chronological age often has little relation to the reality of aging for an older adult.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:173
OBJ:Identify common myths and stereotypes about older adults.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Which information from a co-worker on a gerontological unit will cause the nurse to intervene?
a.
Most older people have dependent functioning.
b.
Most older people have strengths we should focus on.
c.
Most older people should be involved in care decision.
d.
Most older people should be encouraged to have independence.
ANS: A
Most older people remain functionally independent despite the increasing prevalence of chronic
disease; therefore, this misconception should be addressed. It is critical for you to respect older
adults and actively involve them in care decisions and activities. You also need to identify an older
adult’s strengths and abilities during the assessment and encourage independence as an integral
part of your plan of care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:173
OBJ:Identify common myths and stereotypes about older adults.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. A nurse suspects an older-adult patient is experiencing caregiver neglect. Which assessment
findings are consistent with the nurse’s suspicions?
a.
Flea bites and lice infestation
b.
Left at a grocery store
c.
Refuses to take a bath
d.
Cuts and bruises
ANS: A
Caregiver neglect includes unsafe and unclean living conditions, soiled bedding, and animal or
insect infestation. Abandonment includes desertion at a hospital, nursing facility, or public location
such as a shopping center. Self-neglect includes refusal or failure to provide oneself with basic
necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication, and safety. Physical
abuse includes hitting, beating, pushing, slapping, kicking, physical restraint, inappropriate use of
drugs, fractures, lacerations, rope burns, and untreated injuries.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:188
OBJ: Describe the multi-faceted aspects of elder mistreatment. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. A nurse is teaching a group of older-adult patients. Which teaching strategy is best for the nurse
to use?
a.
Provide several topics of discussion at once to promote independence and making choices.
b.
Avoid uncomfortable silences after questions by helping patients complete their statements.
c.
Ask patients to recall past experiences that correspond with their interests.
d.
Speak in a high pitch to help patients hear better.
ANS: C
Teaching strategies include the use of past experiences to connect new learning with previous
knowledge, focusing on a single topic to help the patient concentrate, giving the patient enough time
in which to respond because older adults’ reaction times are longer than those of younger persons,
and keeping the tone of voice low; older adults are able to hear low sounds better than highfrequency sounds.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:184
OBJ: Discuss issues related to psychosocial changes of aging. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. An older patient has fallen and suffered a hip fracture. As a consequence, the patient’s family is
concerned about the patient’s ability to care for self, especially during this convalescence. What
should the nurse do?
a.
Stress that older patients usually ask for help when needed.
b.
Inform the family that placement in a nursing center is a permanent solution.
c.
Tell the family to enroll the patient in a ceramics class to maintain quality of life.
d.
Provide information and answer questions as family members make choices among care options.
ANS: D
Nurses help older adults and their families by providing information and answering questions as they
make choices among care options. Some older adults deny functional declines and refuse to ask for
assistance with tasks that place their safety at great risk. The decision to enter a nursing center is
never final, and a nursing center resident sometimes is discharged to home or to another less-acute
residence. What defines quality of life varies and is unique for each person.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:175
OBJ: Discuss common developmental tasks of older adults. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. What is the best suggestion a nurse could make to a family requesting help in selecting a local
nursing center?
a. Have the family members evaluate nursing home staff according to their ability to get tasks done efficiently and safely.
b. Make sure that nursing home staff members get patients out of bed and dressed according to staff’s preferences.
c. Explain that it is important for the family to visit the center and inspect it personally.
d. Suggest a nursing center that has standards as close to hospital standards as possible.
ANS: C
An important step in the process of selecting a nursing home is to visit the nursing home. The
nursing home should not feel like a hospital. It is a home, a place where people live. Members of the
nursing home staff should focus on the person, not the task. Residents should be out of bed and
dressed according to their preferences, not staff preferences.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:175
OBJ: Discuss common developmental tasks of older adults. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
8. A 70-year-old patient who suffers from worsening dementia is no longer able to live alone. The
nurse is discussing health care services and possible long-term living arrangements with the
patient’s only son. What will the nurse suggest?
a.
An apartment setting with neighbors close by
b.
Having the patient utilize weekly home health visits
c.
A nursing center because home care is no longer safe
d.
That placement is irrelevant because the patient is retreating to a place of inactivity
ANS: C
Some family caregivers consider nursing center placement when in-home care becomes
increasingly difficult or when convalescence from hospitalization requires more assistance than the
family is able to provide. An apartment setting and the use of home health visits are not appropriate
because living at home is unsafe. Dementia is not a time of inactivity but an impairment of
intellectual functioning.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:175
OBJ: Discuss common developmental tasks of older adults. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse is caring for an older adult. Which goal is priority?
a.
Adjusting to career
b.
Adjusting to divorce
c.
Adjusting to retirement
d.
Adjusting to grandchildren
ANS: C
Adjusting to retirement is one of the developmental tasks for an older person. A young or middleaged adult has to adjust to career and/or divorce. A middle-aged adult has to adjust to
grandchildren.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:174
OBJ: Discuss common developmental tasks of older adults. TOP: Planning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. A nurse is observing for the universal loss in an older-adult patient. What is the nurse assessing?
a.
Loss of finances through changes in income
b.
Loss of relationships through death
c.
Loss of career through retirement
d.
Loss of home through relocation
ANS: B
The universal loss for older adults usually revolves around the loss of relationships through death.
Life transitions, of which loss is a major component, include retirement and the associated financial
changes, changes in roles and relationships, alterations in health and functional ability, changes in
one’s social network, and relocation. However, these are not the universal loss.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:181
OBJ: Discuss issues related to psychosocial changes of aging. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
11. A nurse is discussing sexuality with an older adult. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Ask closed-ended questions about specific symptoms the patient may experience.
b.
Provide information about the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
c.
Discuss the issues of sexuality in a group in a private room.
d.
Explain that sexuality is not necessary as one ages.
ANS: B
Include information about the prevention of sexually transmitted infections when appropriate. Openended questions inviting an older adult to explain sexual activities or concerns elicit more information
than a list of closed-ended questions about specific activities or symptoms. You need to provide
privacy for any discussion of sexuality and maintain a nonjudgmental attitude. Sexuality and the
need to express sexual feelings remain throughout the human life span.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:182
OBJ: Discuss issues related to psychosocial changes of aging. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. A nurse is teaching a health promotion class for older adults. In which order will the nurse list the
most common to least common conditions that can lead to death in older adults?
1. Chronic obstructive lung disease
2. Cerebrovascular accidents
3. Heart disease
4. Cancer
a.
4, 1, 2, 3
b.
3, 4, 1, 2
c.
2, 3, 4, 1
d.
1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: B
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in older adults followed by cancer, chronic lung disease,
and stroke (cerebrovascular accidents).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:184
OBJ: Describe selected health concerns of older adults. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. A nurse is observing skin integrity of an older adult. Which finding will the nurse document as a
normal finding?
a.
Oily skin
b.
Faster nail growth
c.
Decreased elasticity
d.
Increased facial hair in men
ANS: C
Loss of skin elasticity is a common finding in the older adult. Other common findings include
pigmentation changes, glandular atrophy (oil, moisture, and sweat glands), thinning hair (facial hair:
decreased in men, increased in women), slower nail growth, and atrophy of epidermal arterioles.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:177
OBJ: Describe common physiological changes of aging. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. An older-adult patient in no acute distress reports being less able to taste and smell. What is the
nurse’s best response to this information?
a.
Notify the health care provider immediately to rule out cranial nerve damage.
b.
Schedule the patient for an appointment at a smell and taste disorders clinic.
c.
Perform testing on the vestibulocochlear nerve and a hearing test.
d.
Explain to the patient that diminished senses are normal findings.
ANS: D
Diminished taste and smell senses are common findings in older adults. Scheduling an appointment
at a smell and taste disorders clinic, testing the vestibulocochlear nerve, or an attempt to rule out
cranial nerve damage is unnecessary at this time as per the information provided.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:177
OBJ: Describe common physiological changes of aging. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. A nurse is assessing an older adult for cognitive changes. Which symptom will the nurse report
as normal?
a.
Disorientation
b.
Poor judgment
c.
Slower reaction time
d.
Loss of language skills
ANS: C
Slower reaction time is a common change in the older adult. Symptoms of cognitive impairment,
such as disorientation, loss of language skills, loss of the ability to calculate, and poor judgment are
not normal aging changes and require further investigation of underlying causes.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:177 | 179
OBJ: Describe common physiological changes of aging. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. An older patient with dementia and confusion is admitted to the nursing unit after hip
replacement surgery. Which action will the nurse include in the plan of care?
a.
Keep a routine.
b.
Continue to reorient.
c.
Allow several choices.
d.
Socially isolate patient.
ANS: A
Patients with dementia need a routine. Continuing to reorient a patient with dementia is
nonproductive and not advised. Patients with dementia need limited choices. Social interaction
based on the patient’s abilities is to be promoted.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:181
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Planning MSC: Physiological Adaptation
17. A nurse is helping an older-adult patient with instrumental activities of daily living. The nurse will
be assisting the patient with which activity?
a.
Taking a bath
b.
Getting dressed
c.
Making a phone call
d.
Going to the bathroom
ANS: C
Instrumental activities of daily living or IADLs (such as the ability to write a check, shop, prepare
meals, or make phone calls) and activities of daily living or ADLs (such as bathing, dressing, and
toileting) are essential to independent living.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:179
OBJ:Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. A male older-adult patient expresses concern and anxiety about decreased penile firmness
during an erection. What is the nurse’s best response?
a.
Tell the patient that libido will always decrease, as well as the sexual desires.
b.
Tell the patient that touching should be avoided unless intercourse is planned.
c.
Tell the patient that heterosexuality will help maintain stronger libido.
d.
Tell the patient that this change is expected in aging adults.
ANS: D
Aging men typically experience an erection that is less firm and shorter acting and have a less
forceful ejaculation. Testosterone lessens with age and sometimes (not always) leads to a loss of
libido. However, for both men and women sexual desires, thoughts, and actions continue throughout
all decades of life. Sexuality involves love, warmth, sharing, and touching, not just the act of
intercourse. Touch complements traditional sexual methods or serves as an alternative sexual
expression when physical intercourse is not desired or possible. Clearly not all older adults are
heterosexual, and there is emerging research on older adult, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
individuals and their health care needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:177-178
OBJ:Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A patient asks the nurse what the term polypharmacy means. Which information should the
nurse share with the patient?
a.
This is multiple side effects experienced when taking medications.
b.
This is many adverse drug effects reported to the pharmacy.
c.
This is the multiple risks of medication effects due to aging.
d.
This is concurrent use of many medications.
ANS: D
Polypharmacy refers to the concurrent use of many medications. It does not have anything to do
with side effects, adverse drug effects, or risks of medication use due to aging.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:187
OBJ: Describe selected health concerns of older adults. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
20. An outcome for an older-adult patient living alone is to be free from falls. Which statement
indicates the patient correctly understands the teaching on safety concerns?
a.
“I’ll take my time getting up from the bed or chair.”
b.
“I should dim the lighting outside to decrease the glare in my eyes.”
c.
“I’ll leave my throw rugs in place so that my feet won’t touch the cold tile.”
d.
“I should wear my favorite smooth bottom socks to protect my feet when walking around.”
ANS: A
Postural hypotension is an intrinsic factor that can cause falls. Changing positions slowly indicates a
correct understanding of this concept. Environmental hazards outside and within the home such as
poor lighting, slippery or wet flooring, and items on floor that are easy to trip over such as throw rugs
are other factors that can lead to falls. Impaired vision and poor lighting are other risk factors for falls
and should be avoided (dim lighting). Inappropriate footwear such as smooth bottom socks also
contributes to falls.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:186
OBJ: Describe selected health concerns of older adults. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
21. A nurse’s goal for an older adult is to reduce the risk of adverse medication effects. Which action
will the nurse take?
a.
Review the patient’s list of medications at each visit.
b.
Teach that polypharmacy is to be avoided at all cost.
c.
Avoid information about adverse effects.
d.
Focus only on prescribed medications.
ANS: A
Strategies for reducing the risk for adverse medication effects include reviewing the medications with
older adults at each visit; examining for potential interactions with food or other medications;
simplifying and individualizing medication regimens; taking every opportunity to inform older adults
and their families about all aspects of medication use; and encouraging older adults to question their
health care providers about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications. Although polypharmacy
often reflects inappropriate prescribing, the concurrent use of multiple medications is often
necessary when an older adult has multiple acute and chronic conditions. Older adults are at risk for
adverse drug effects because of age-related changes in the absorption, distribution, metabolism,
and excretion of drugs. Work collaboratively with the older adult to ensure safe and appropriate use
of all medications—both prescribed medications and over-the-counter medications and herbal
options.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:188
OBJ: Describe selected health concerns of older adults. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
22. An older-adult patient has developed acute confusion. The patient has been on tranquilizers for
the past week. The patient’s vital signs are normal. What should the nurse do?
a.
Take into account age-related changes in body systems that affect pharmacokinetic activity.
b.
Increase the dose of tranquilizer if the cause of the confusion is an infection.
c.
Note when the confusion occurs and medicate before that time.
d.
Restrict phone calls to prevent further confusion.
ANS: A
Some sedatives and tranquilizers prescribed for acutely confused older adults sometimes cause or
exacerbate confusion. Carefully administer drugs used to manage confused behaviors, taking into
account age-related changes in body systems that affect pharmacokinetic activity. When confusion
has a physiological cause (such as an infection), specifically treat that cause, rather than the
confused behavior. When confusion varies by time of day or is related to environmental factors,
nonpharmacological measures such as making the environment more meaningful, providing
adequate light, etc., should be used. Making phone calls to friends or family members allows older
adults to hear reassuring voices, which may be beneficial.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:188
OBJ: Describe selected health concerns of older adults. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
23. Which assessment finding of an older adult, who has a urinary tract infection, requires an
immediate nursing intervention?
a.
Confusion
b.
Presbycusis
c.
Temperature of 97.9° F
d.
Death of a spouse 2 months ago
ANS: A
Confusion is a common manifestation in older adults with urinary tract infection; however, the cause
requires further assessment. There may be another reason for the confusion. Confusion is not a
normal finding in the older adult, even though it is commonly seen with concurrent infections.
Difficulty hearing, presbycusis, is an expected finding in an older adult. Older adults tend to have
lower core temperatures. Coping with the death of a spouse is a psychosocial concern to be
addressed after the acute physiological concern in this case.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:176 | 179
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Implementation MSC: Physiological Integrity
24. Which patient statement is the most reliable indicator that an older adult has the correct
understanding of health promotion activities?
a.
“I need to increase my fat intake and limit protein.”
b.
“I still keep my dentist appointments even though I have partials now.”
c.
“I should discontinue my fitness club membership for safety reasons.”
d.
“I’m up-to-date on my immunizations, but at my age, I don’t need the influenza vaccine.”
ANS: B
General preventive measures for the nurse to recommend to older adults include keeping regular
dental appointments to promote good oral hygiene, eating a low-fat, well-balanced diet, exercising
regularly, and maintaining immunizations for seasonal influenza, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis,
shingles, and pneumococcal disease.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:184
OBJ: Describe selected health concerns of older adults. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
25. A 72-year-old woman was recently widowed. She worked as a teller at a bank for 40 years and
has been retired for the past 5 years. She never learned how to drive. She lives in a rural area that
does not have public transportation. Which psychosocial change does the nurse focus on as
a priority?
a.
Sexuality
b.
Retirement
c.
Environment
d.
Social isolation
ANS: D
The highest priority at this time is the potential for social isolation. This woman does not know how to
drive and lives in a rural community that does not have public transportation. All of these factors
contribute to her social isolation. Other possible changes she may be going through right now
include sexuality related to her advanced age and recent death of her spouse; however, this is not
the priority at this time. She has been retired for 5 years, so this is also not an immediate need. She
may eventually experience needs related to environment, but the data do not support this as an
issue at this time.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:181-182 | 188
OBJ: Discuss issues related to psychosocial changes of aging. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A recently widowed older-adult patient is dehydrated and is admitted to the hospital for
intravenous fluid replacement. During the evening shift, the patient becomes acutely confused.
Which possible reversible causes will the nurse consider when assessing this patient? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Electrolyte imbalance
b.
Sensory deprivation
c.
Hypoglycemia
d.
Drug effects
e.
Dementia
ANS: A, B, C, D
Delirium, or acute confusional state, is a potentially reversible cognitive impairment that is often due
to a physiological event. Physiological causes include electrolyte imbalances, untreated pain,
infection, cerebral anoxia, hypoglycemia, medication effects, tumors, subdural hematomas, and
cerebrovascular infarction or hemorrhage. Sometimes it is also caused by environmental factors
such as sensory deprivation or overstimulation, unfamiliar surroundings, or sleep deprivation or
psychosocial factors such as emotional distress. Dementia is a gradual, progressive, and irreversible
cerebral dysfunction.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:179
OBJ: Differentiate among delirium, dementia, and depression. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
MATCHING
A nurse is using different strategies to meet older patients’ psychosocial needs. Match the strategy
the nurse is using to its description.
a.
Respecting the older adult’s uniqueness
b.
Improving level of awareness
c.
Listening to the patient’s past recollections
d.
Accepting describing of patient’s perspective
e.
Offering help with grooming and hygiene
1. Body image
2. Validation therapy
3. Therapeutic communication
4. Reality orientation
5. Reminiscence
1.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:189-190
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:189-190
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:189-190
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:189-190
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:189-190
OBJ: Identify nursing interventions related to the physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes
of aging. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking in Nursing
Practice
Chapter 15: Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which action should the nurse take when using critical thinking to make clinical decisions?
a.
Make decisions based on intuition.
b.
Accept one established way to provide care.
c.
Consider what is important in a given situation.
d.
Read and follow the heath care provider’s orders.
ANS: C
A critical thinker considers what is important in each clinical situation, imagines and explores
alternatives, considers ethical principles, and makes informed decisions about the care of patients.
Patient care can be provided in many ways. The use of evidence-based knowledge, or knowledge
based on research or clinical expertise, makes you an informed critical thinker. Following health care
provider’s orders is not considered a critical thinking skill. If your knowledge causes you to question
a health care provider’s order, do so.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:196 | 205
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making clinical decisions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
2. Which patient scenario of a surgical patient in pain is most indicative of critical thinking?
a. Administering pain-relief medication according to what was given last shift
b. Offering pain-relief medication based on the health care provider’s orders
c. Asking the patient what pain-relief methods, pharmacological and nonpharmacological, have worked in the past
d. Explaining to the patient that self-reporting of severe pain is not consistent with the minor procedure that was performed
ANS: C
Asking the patient what pain-relief methods have worked in the past is an example of exploring
many options for pain relief. Nonpharmacological pain-relief methods are available, as are
medications for pain. Administering medication based on a previous assessment is not practicing
according to standards of care. The nurse is to conduct an assessment each shift on assigned
patients and intervene accordingly. Pain is subjective. The nurse should offer pain-relief methods
based on the patient’s reports without being judgmental.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:202 | 205
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making clinical decisions.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
3. Which action indicates a registered nurse is being responsible for making clinical decisions?
a.
Applies clear textbook solutions to patients’ problems
b.
Takes immediate action when a patient’s condition worsens
c.
Uses only traditional methods of providing care to patients
d.
Formulates standardized care plans solely for groups of patients
ANS: B
Registered nurses are responsible for making clinical decisions to take immediate action when a
patient’s condition worsens. Patient care should be based on evidence-based practice, not on
tradition. Most patients have health care problems for which there are no clear textbook solutions.
Care plans should be individualized for each patient, not just for groups.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:195-196
OBJ:Discuss the nurse’s responsibility in making clinical decisions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
4. A charge nurse is supervising the care of a new nurse. Which action by a new nurse indicates the
charge nurse needs to intervene?
a.
Making an ethical clinical decision
b.
Making an informed clinical decision
c.
Making a clinical decision in the patient’s best interest
d.
Making a clinical decision based on previous shift assessments
ANS: D
The charge nurse must intervene when the nurse is using previous shift assessments to make a
decision; this is inappropriate. Nurses are responsible for assessing their own patients to make
decisions. Making informed, ethical decisions in the patient’s best interest is practicing responsibly
and does not need follow-up from the charge nurse.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:200 | 203
OBJ:Discuss a nurse’s responsibility in making clinical decisions.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
5. Which action demonstrates a nurse utilizing reflection to improve clinical decision making?
a.
Obtains data in an orderly fashion
b.
Uses an objective approach in patient situations
c.
Improves a plan of care while thinking back on interventions effectiveness
d.
Provides evidence-based explanations and research for care of assigned patients
ANS: C
Reflection utilizes critical thinking when thinking back on the effectiveness of interventions and how
they were performed. It involves purposeful thinking back or recalling a situation to discover its
purpose or meaning. The other options are not examples of reflection but do represent good nursing
practice. Using an objective approach and obtaining data in an orderly fashion do not involve
purposefully thinking back to discover the meaning or purpose of a situation. Providing evidencebased explanations for nursing interventions does not always involve thinking back to discover the
meaning of a situation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:196-197
OBJ: Discuss how reflection improves a nurse’s capacity for making future clinical decisions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
6. A nursing instructor needs to evaluate students’ abilities to synthesize data and identify
relationships between nursing diagnoses. Which learning assignment is best suited for this
instructor’s needs?
a.
Concept mapping
b.
Reflective journaling
c.
Lecture and discussion
d.
Reading assignment with a written summary
ANS: A
Concept mapping challenges the student to synthesize data and identify relationships between
nursing diagnoses. The primary purpose of concept mapping is to better synthesize relevant data
about a patient, including assessment data, nursing diagnoses, health needs, nursing interventions,
and evaluation measures. Reflective journaling involves thinking back to clarify concepts. Reading
assignments and lecture do not best provide an instructor the ability to evaluate students’ abilities to
synthesize data.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:205-206
OBJ: Discuss how reflection improves a nurse’s capacity for making future clinical decisions.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
7. A nurse is using a critical thinking model to provide care. Which component is first that helps a
nurse make clinical decisions?
a.
Attitude
b.
Experience
c.
Nursing process
d.
Specific knowledge base
ANS: D
The first component of the critical thinking model is a nurse’s specific knowledge base. After
acquiring a sound knowledge base, the nurse can then apply knowledge to different clinical
situations using the nursing process to gain valuable experience. Clinical learning experiences are
necessary to acquire clinical decision-making skills. The nursing process competency is the third
component of the critical thinking model. Eleven attitudes define the central features of a critical
thinker and how a successful critical thinker approaches a problem.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:201
OBJ: Describe the components of a critical thinking model for clinical decision making.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
8. Which action by a nurse indicates application of the critical thinking model to make the bestclinical
decisions?
a.
Drawing on past clinical experiences to formulate standardized care plans
b.
Relying on recall of information from past lectures and textbooks
c.
Depending on the charge nurse to determine priorities of care
d.
Using the nursing process
ANS: D
The nursing process competency is the third component of the critical thinking model. In your
practice, you will apply critical thinking components during each step of the nursing process. Care
plans should be individualized, and recalling facts does not utilize critical thinking skills to make
clinical decisions. The new nurse should not rely on the charge nurse to determine priorities of care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:202
OBJ: Describe the components of a critical thinking model for clinical decision making.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse is using the critical thinking skill of evaluation. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Examine the meaning of data.
b.
Support findings and conclusions.
c.
Review the effectiveness of nursing actions.
d.
Search for links between the data and the nurse’s assumptions.
ANS: C
Reviewing the effectiveness of interventions best describes evaluation. Examining the meaning of
data is inference. Supporting findings and conclusions provides explanations. Searching for links
between the data and the nurse’s assumptions describes analysis.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:197
OBJ: Discuss critical thinking skills used in nursing practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
10. The patient appears to be in no apparent distress, but vital signs taken by assistive personnel
reveal an extremely low pulse. The nurse then auscultates an apical pulse and asks the patient
whether there is any history of heart problems. The nurse is utilizing which critical thinking skill?
a.
Evaluation
b.
Explanation
c.
Interpretation
d.
Self-regulation
ANS: C
Interpretation involves being orderly in data collection, looking for patterns to categorize data, and
clarifying uncertain data. This nurse is clarifying the data in this situation. Evaluation involves
determining the effectiveness of interventions or care provided. The nurse in this scenario is
assessing the patient, not evaluating interventions. Self-regulation is reflecting on experiences.
Explanation is supporting findings and conclusions. The nurse in this question is clarifying uncertain
data (determining cause of the low pulse), not supporting the finding of a low pulse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:197
OBJ: Discuss critical thinking skills used in nursing practice. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
11. A patient continues to report postsurgical incision pain at a level of 9 out of 10 after pain
medicine is given. The next dose of pain medicine is not due for another hour. What should the
critically thinking nurse do first?
a.
Explore other options for pain relief.
b.
Discuss the surgical procedure and reason for the pain.
c.
Explain to the patient that nothing else has been ordered.
d.
Offer to notify the health care provider after morning rounds are completed.
ANS: A
The critically thinking nurse should explore all options for pain relief first. The nurse should use
critical thinking to determine the cause of the pain and determine various options for pain, not just
ordered pain medications. The nurse can act independently to determine all options for pain relief
and does not have to wait until after the health care provider rounds are completed. Explaining the
cause of the pain does not address options for pain relief.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:199 | 203 | 204-205
OBJ: Discuss critical thinking skills used in nursing practice. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
12. Which action should the nurse take to best develop critical thinking skills?
a.
Study 3 hours more each night.
b.
Attend all inservice opportunities.
c.
Actively participate in clinical experiences.
d.
Interview staff nurses about their nursing experiences.
ANS: C
Nursing is a practice discipline. Clinical learning experiences are necessary to acquire clinical
decision-making skills. Studying for longer hours, interviewing nurses, and attending inservices do
not provide opportunities for clinical decision making, as do actual clinical experiences.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:202
OBJ: Explain the relationship between clinical experience and critical thinking.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
13. While caring for a hospitalized older-adult female post hip surgery, the nurse is faced with the
task of inserting an indwelling urinary catheter, which involves rotating the hip into a contraindicated
position. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Postpone catheter insertion until the next shift.
b.
Adapt the positioning technique to the situation.
c.
Notify the health care provider for a urologist consult.
d.
Follow textbook procedure with contraindicated position.
ANS: B
The nurse must use critical thinking skills in this situation to adapt positioning technique. In practice,
patient procedures are not always presented as in a textbook, but they are individualized. A urologist
consult is not warranted for positioning problems. Postponing insertion of the catheter is not an
appropriate action.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:196 | 198 | 202 | 203
OBJ: Explain the relationship between clinical experience and critical thinking.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
14. The nurse enters a room to find the patient sitting up in bed crying. How will the nurse display a
critical thinking attitude in this situation?
a.
Provide privacy and check on the patient 30 minutes later.
b.
Set a box of tissues at the patient’s bedside before leaving the room.
c.
Limit visitors while the patient is upset.
d.
Ask the patient about the crying.
ANS: D
A clinical sign or symptom (crying) often indicates a variety of problems. Explore and learn more
about the patient so as to make appropriate clinical judgments. This is demonstrating curiosity,
which is an attitude of critical thinking. Checking on the patient 30 minutes later, providing tissues,
and limiting visitors may be appropriate actions but these actions do not address critical thinking.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:203
OBJ: Discuss the critical thinking attitudes used in clinical decision making.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. A patient is having trouble reaching the water fountain while holding on to crutches. The nurse
suggests that the patient place the crutches against the wall while stabilizing him or herself with two
hands on the water fountain. Which critical thinking attitude did the nurse use in this situation?
a.
Humility
b.
Creativity
c.
Risk taking
d.
Confidence
ANS: B
The nurse uses creativity in this situation to figure out how the patient can safely get a drink of water.
Humility is recognizing when more information is needed to make a decision. Confidence is being
well prepared to perform nursing care safely. This question best illustrates the attitude of creativity.
Risk taking is demonstrating the courage to speak out or to question orders based on the nurse’s
own knowledge base.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:203-204
OBJ: Discuss the critical thinking attitudes used in clinical decision making.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
16. A nurse is pulled from the surgical unit to work on the oncology unit. Which action by the nurse
displays humility and responsibility?
a.
Refusing the assignment
b.
Asking for an orientation to the unit
c.
Admitting lack of knowledge and going home
d.
Assuming that patient care will be the same as on the other units
ANS: B
Humility and responsibility are displayed when the nurse realizes lack of knowledge and requests an
orientation to the unit. The other answer choices represent inappropriate actions in this situation and
are not examples of humility and responsibility. The nurse should explore all options before refusing
an assignment. The nurse should not make assumptions. Assuming is not an example of critical
thinking. Admitting lack of knowledge is an example of humility, but going home does not illustrate
an example of responsibility.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:203-204
OBJ: Discuss the critical thinking attitudes used in clinical decision making.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
17. A nurse is using professional standards to influence clinical decisions. What is the rationale for
the nurse’s actions?
a.
Establishes minimal passing standards for testing
b.
Utilizes evidence-based practice based on nurses’ needs
c.
Bypasses the patient’s feelings to promote ethical standards
d.
Uses critical thinking for the highest level of quality nursing care
ANS: D
Professional standards promote the highest level of quality nursing care. Application of professional
standards requires you to use critical thinking for the good of individuals or groups. Bypassing the
patient’s feelings is not practicing according to professional standards. The primary purpose of
professional standards is not to establish minimal passing standards for testing. Patient care should
be based on patient needs, not on nurses’ needs.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:205
OBJ: Explain how professional standards influence a nurse’s clinical decisions.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
18. A nurse who is caring for a patient with a pressure ulcer applies the recommended dressing
according to hospital policy. Which standard is the nurse following?
a.
Fairness
b.
Intellectual standards
c.
Independent reasoning
d.
Institutional practice guidelines
ANS: D
The standards of professional responsibility that a nurse tries to achieve are the standards cited in
Nurse Practice Acts, institutional practice guidelines (hospital/facility policy), and professional
organizations’ standards of practice (e.g., The American Nurses Association Standards of
Professional Performance). Intellectual standards are guidelines or principles for rational thought.
Fairness and independent reasoning are two examples of critical thinking attitudes that are designed
to help nurses make clinical decisions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:204-205
OBJ: Explain how professional standards influence a nurse’s clinical decisions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
19. A nurse is reviewing care plans. Which finding, if identified in a plan of care, should the
registered nurse revise?
a.
Patient’s outcomes for learning
b.
Nurse’s assumptions about hospital discharge
c.
Identification of several actual health problems
d.
Documentation of patient’s ability to meet the goal
ANS: B
The nurse should not assume when a patient is going to be discharged and document this
information in a plan of care. Making assumptions is not an example of a critical thinking skill. The
purpose of the nursing process is to diagnose and treat human responses (e.g., patient symptoms,
need for knowledge) to actual or potential health problems. Use of the process allows nurses to help
patients meet agreed-on outcomes for better health. The patient’s outcomes, having several actual
health problems, and a description of the patient’s abilities to meet the goal are all appropriate to
document in the nursing plan of care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:197 | 201
OBJ:Discuss the relationship of the nursing process to critical thinking.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
20. In which order will the nurse use the nursing process steps during the clinical decision-making
process?
1. Evaluating goals
2. Assessing patient needs
3. Planning priorities of care
4. Determining nursing diagnoses
5. Implementing nursing interventions
a.
2, 4, 3, 5, 1
b.
4, 3, 2, 1, 5
c.
1, 2, 4, 5, 3
d.
5, 1, 2, 3, 4
ANS: A
The American Nurses Association developed standards that set forth the framework necessary for
critical thinking in the application of the five-step nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:201
OBJ:Discuss the relationship of the nursing process to critical thinking.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which findings will alert the nurse that stress is present when making a clinical decision? (Select
all that apply.)
a.
Tense muscles
b.
Reactive responses
c.
Trouble concentrating
d.
Very tired feelings
e.
Managed emotions
ANS: A, B, C, D
Learn to recognize when you are feeling stressed—your muscles will tense, you become reactive
when others communicate with you, you have trouble concentrating, and you feel very tired.
Emotions are not managed when stressed.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:206
OBJ: Discuss the importance of managing stress when making clinical decisions.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 16: Nursing Assessment
Chapter 16: Nursing Assessment
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is using critical thinking skills during the first phase of the nursing process. Which
action indicates the nurse is in the first phase?
a.
Completes a comprehensive database
b.
Identifies pertinent nursing diagnoses
c.
Intervenes based on priorities of patient care
d.
Determines whether outcomes have been achieved
ANS: A
The assessment phase of the nursing process involves data collection to complete a thorough
patient database and is the first phase. Identifying nursing diagnoses occurs during the diagnosis
phase or second phase. The nurse carries out interventions during the implementation phase (fourth
phase), and determining whether outcomes have been achieved takes place during the evaluation
phase (fifth phase) of the nursing process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:210
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between critical thinking and nursing assessment.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is using the problem-oriented approach to data collection. Which action will the nurse
take first?
a.
Complete the questions in chronological order.
b.
Focus on the patient’s presenting situation.
c.
Make accurate interpretations of the data.
d.
Conduct an observational overview.
ANS: B
A problem-oriented approach focuses on the patient’s current problem or presenting situation rather
than on an observational overview. The database is not always completed using a chronological
approach if focusing on the current problem. Making interpretations of the data is not data collection.
Data interpretation occurs while appropriate nursing diagnoses are assigned. The question is asking
about data collection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:210 | 213
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. After reviewing the database, the nurse discovers that the patient’s vital signs have not been
recorded by the nursing assistive personnel (NAP). Which clinical decision should the nurse make?
a.
Administer scheduled medications assuming that the NAP would have reported abnormal vital signs.
b. Have the patient transported to the radiology department for a scheduled x-ray, and review vital signs upon return.
c.
Ask the NAP to record the patient’s vital signs before administering medications.
d. Omit the vital signs because the patient is presently in no distress.
ANS: C
The nurse should ask the nursing assistive personnel to record the vital signs for review before
administering medicines or transporting the patient to another department. The nurse should not
make assumptions when providing high-quality patient care, and omitting the vital signs is not an
appropriate action.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:210
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between critical thinking and nursing assessment.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. The nurse is gathering data on a patient. Which data will the nurse report as objective data?
a.
States “doesn’t feel good”
b.
Reports a headache
c.
Respirations 16
d.
Nauseated
ANS: C
Objective data are observations or measurements of a patient’s health status, like respirations.
Inspecting the condition of a surgical incision or wound, describing an observed behavior, and
measuring blood pressure are examples of objective data. States “doesn’t feel good,” reports a
headache, and nausea are all subjective data. Subjective data include the patient’s feelings,
perceptions, and reported symptoms. Only patients provide subjective data relevant to their health
condition.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:214
OBJ: Differentiate between subjective and objective data. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A patient expresses fear of going home and being alone. Vital signs are stable and the incision is
nearly completely healed. What can the nurse infer from the subjective data?
a.
The patient can now perform the dressing changes without help.
b.
The patient can begin retaking all of the previous medications.
c.
The patient is apprehensive about discharge.
d.
The patient’s surgery was not successful.
ANS: C
Subjective data include expressions of fear of going home and being alone. These data indicate (use
inference) that the patient is apprehensive about discharge. Expressing fear is not an appropriate
sign that a patient is able to perform dressing changes independently. An order from a health care
provider is required before a patient is taught to resume previous medications. The nurse cannot
infer that surgery was not successful if the incision is nearly completely healed.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:212-213
OBJ: Differentiate between subjective and objective data. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Which method of data collection will the nurse use to establish a patient’s database?
a.
Reviewing the current literature to determine evidence-based nursing actions
b.
Checking orders for diagnostic and laboratory tests
c.
Performing a physical examination
d.
Ordering medications
ANS: C
You will learn to conduct different types of assessments: the patient-centered interview during a
nursing health history, a physical examination, and the periodic assessments you make during
rounding or administering care. A nursing database includes a physical examination. The nurse
reviews the current literature in the implementation phase of the nursing process to determine
evidence-based actions, and the health care provider is responsible for ordering medications. The
nurse uses results from the diagnostic and laboratory tests to establish a patient database, not
checking orders for tests.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:211
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. A nurse is gathering information about a patient’s habits and lifestyle patterns. Which method of
data collection will the nurse use that will best obtain this information?
a.
Carefully review lab results.
b.
Conduct the physical assessment.
c.
Perform a thorough nursing health history.
d.
Prolong the termination phase of the interview.
ANS: C
The nursing health history also includes a description of a patient’s habits and lifestyle patterns. Lab
results and physical assessment will not reveal as much about the patient’s habits and lifestyle
patterns as the nursing health history. Collecting data is part of the working phase of the interview.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. While interviewing an older female patient of Asian descent, the nurse notices that the patient
looks at the ground when answering questions. What should the nurse do?
a.
Consider cultural differences during this assessment.
b.
Ask the patient to make eye contact to determine her affect.
c.
Continue with the interview and document that the patient is depressed.
d.
Notify the health care provider to recommend a psychological evaluation.
ANS: A
To conduct an accurate and complete assessment, consider a patient’s cultural background. This
nurse needs to practice culturally competent care and appreciate the cultural differences. Assuming
that the patient is depressed or in need of a psychological evaluation or to force eye contact is
inappropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:218-219
OBJ: Explain ways to make an assessment patient centered. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. A nurse has already set the agenda during a patient-centered interview. What will the nurse
do next?
a.
Begin with introductions.
b.
Ask about the chief concerns or problems.
c.
Explain that the interview will be over in a few minutes.
d.
Tell the patient “I will be back to administer medications in 1 hour.”
ANS: B
After setting the agenda, the nurse should conduct the actual interview and proceed with data
collection, such as asking about the patient’s current chief concerns or problems. Introductions occur
before setting the agenda. Begin an interview by introducing yourself and your position and
explaining the purpose of the interview. Your aim is to set an agenda for how you will gather
information about a patient’s current chief concerns or problems. The termination phase includes
telling the patient when the interview is nearing an end. Telling the patient that medications will be
given later when the nurse returns would typically take place during the termination phase of the
interview.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:216
OBJ: Discuss how to conduct a patient-centered interview. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. The nurse is attempting to prompt the patient to elaborate on the reports of daytime fatigue.
Which question should the nurse ask?
a.
“Is there anything that you are stressed about right now that I should know?”
b.
“What reasons do you think are contributing to your fatigue?”
c.
“What are your normal work hours?”
d.
“Are you sleeping 8 hours a night?”
ANS: B
The question asking the patient what factors might be contributing to the fatigue will elicit the best
open-ended response. Asking whether the patient is stressed and asking if the patient is sleeping 8
hours a night are closed-ended questions eliciting simple yes or no responses. Asking about normal
work hours will elicit a matter-of-fact response and does not prompt the patient to elaborate on the
daytime fatigue or ask about the contributing reasons.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:216-217
OBJ: Discuss how to conduct a patient-centered interview. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. A nurse is conducting a nursing health history. Which component will the nurse address?
a.
Nurse’s concerns
b.
Patient expectations
c.
Current treatment orders
d.
Nurse’s goals for the patient
ANS: B
Some components of a nursing health history include chief concern, patient expectations, spiritual
health, and review of systems. Current treatment orders are located under the Orderssection in the
patient’s chart and are not a part of the nursing health history. Patient concerns, not nurse’s
concerns, are included in the database. Goals that are mutually established, not nurse’s goals, are
part of the nursing care plan.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the components of a nursing history. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. While the patient’s lower extremity, which is in a cast, is assessed, the patient tells the nurse
about an inability to rest at night. The nurse disregards this information, thinking that no correlation
has been noted between having a leg cast and developing restless sleep. Which action would have
been best for the nurse to take?
a.
Tell the patient to just focus on the leg and cast right now.
b.
Document the sleep patterns and information in the patient’s chart.
c.
Explain that a more thorough assessment will be needed next shift.
d.
Ask the patient about usual sleep patterns and the onset of having difficulty resting.
ANS: D
The nurse must use critical thinking skills in this situation to assess first in this situation. The best
response is to gather more assessment data by asking the patient about usual sleep patterns and
the onset of having difficulty resting. The nurse should assess before documenting and should not
ignore the patient’s report of a problem or postpone it till the next shift.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:210 | 212 | 219
OBJ:Conduct a nursing assessment.TOP:Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. The nurse begins a shift assessment by examining a surgical dressing that is saturated with
serosanguineous drainage on a patient who had open abdominal surgery yesterday (or 1 day ago).
Which type of assessment approach is the nurse using?
a.
Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns
b.
Activity-exercise pattern assessment
c.
General to specific assessment
d.
Problem-oriented assessment
ANS: D
The nurse is not doing a complete, general assessment and then focusing on specific problem
areas. Instead, the nurse focuses immediately on the problem at hand (dressing and drainage from
surgery) and performs a problem-oriented assessment. Utilizing Gordon’s Functional Health
Patterns is an example of a structured database-type assessment technique that includes 11
patterns to assess. The nurse in this question is performing a specific problem-oriented assessment
approach, not a general approach. The nurse is not performing an activity-exercise pattern
assessment in this question.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:213
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. Which statement by a nurse indicates a good understanding about the differences between data
validation and data interpretation?
a.
“Data interpretation occurs before data validation.”
b.
“Validation involves looking for patterns in professional standards.”
c.
“Validation involves comparing data with other sources for accuracy.”
d.
“Data interpretation involves discovering patterns in professional standards.”
ANS: C
Validation, by definition, involves comparing data with other sources for accuracy. Data interpretation
involves identifying abnormal findings, clarifying information, and identifying patient problems. The
nurse should validate data before interpreting the data and making inferences. The nurse is
interpreting and validating patient data, not professional standards.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:220
OBJ: Explain the relationship between data interpretation and validation.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. Which scenario best illustrates the nurse using data validation when making a nursing clinical
decision for a patient?
The nurse determines to remove a wound dressing when the patient reveals the time of the last dressing change and notices
a. old and new drainage.
The nurse administers pain medicine due at 1700 at 1600 because the patient reports increased pain and the family wants
b. something done.
c. The nurse immediately asks the health care provider for an order of potassium when a patient reports leg cramps.
d. The nurse elevates a leg cast when the patient reports decreased mobility.
ANS: A
The only scenario that validates a patient’s report with a nurse’s observation is changing the wound
dressing. The nurse validates what the patient says by observing the dressing. The rest of the
examples have the nurse acting only from a patient and/or family reports, not the nurse’s
assessment.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:220
OBJ: Explain the relationship between data interpretation and validation.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. While completing an admission database, the nurse is interviewing a patient who states “I am
allergic to latex.” Which action will the nurse take first?
a.
Immediately place the patient in isolation.
b.
Ask the patient to describe the type of reaction.
c.
Proceed to the termination phase of the interview.
d.
Document the latex allergy on the medication administration record.
ANS: B
The nurse should further assess and ask the patient to describe the type of reaction. The patient will
not need to be placed in isolation; before terminating the interview or documenting the allergy, health
care personnel need to be aware of what type of response the patient suffered.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:219
OBJ:Conduct a nursing assessment.TOP:Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. A patient verbalizes a low pain level of 2 out of 10 but exhibits extreme facial grimacing while
moving around in bed. What is the nurse’s initial action in response to these observations?
a.
Proceed to the next patient’s room to make rounds.
b.
Determine the patient does not want any pain medicine.
c.
Ask the patient about the facial grimacing with movement.
d.
Administer the pain medication ordered for moderate to severe pain.
ANS: C
First, the nurse needs to clarify/verify what was observed with what the patient states. Proceeding to
the next room is ignoring this visual cue. The nurse cannot assume the patient does not want pain
medicine just because he reports a 2 out of 10 on the pain scale. The nurse should not administer
medication for moderate to severe pain if it is not necessary.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:212 | 220
OBJ:Conduct a nursing assessment.TOP:Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. The nurse is interviewing a patient with a hearing deficit. Which area should the nurse use to
conduct this interview?
a.
The patient’s room with the door closed
b.
The waiting area with the television turned off
c.
The patient’s room before administration of pain medication
d.
The waiting room while the occupational therapist is working on leg exercises
ANS: A
Distractions should be eliminated as much as possible when interviewing a patient with a hearing
deficit. The best place to conduct this interview is in the patient’s room with the door closed. The
waiting area does not provide privacy. Pain can sometimes inhibit someone’s ability to concentrate,
so before pain medication is administered is not advisable. It is best for the patient to be as
comfortable as possible when conducting an interview. Assessing a patient while another member of
the health care team is working would be distracting and is not the best time for an interview to take
place.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:215-216
OBJ: Describe how courtesy, comfort, connection, and confirmation establish a foundation for
patient assessment. TOP: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A new nurse is completing an assessment on an 80-year-old patient who is alert and oriented.
The patient’s daughter is present in the room. Which action by the nurse will require follow-up by the
charge nurse?
a.
The nurse makes eye contact with the patient.
b.
The nurse speaks only to the patient’s daughter.
c.
The nurse leans forward while talking with the patient.
d.
The nurse nods periodically while the patient is speaking.
ANS: B
Gathering data from family members is acceptable, but when a patient is able to interact, nurses
need to include information from the older adult to complete the assessment. Therefore, the charge
nurse must correct this misconception. When assessing an older adult, nurses need to listen
carefully and allow the patient to speak. Positive nonverbal communication, such as making eye
contact, nodding, and leaning forward, shows interest in the patient. Thus, the charge nurse does
not need to intervene or follow up.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:214-215
OBJ: Describe how developing relationships with patients fosters the assessment process.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is completing an assessment. Which findings will the nurse report as subjective data?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Patient’s temperature
b.
Patient’s wound appearance
c.
Patient describing excitement about discharge
d.
Patient pacing the floor while awaiting test results
e.
Patient’s expression of fear regarding upcoming surgery
ANS: C, E
Subjective data include patient’s feelings, perceptions, and reported symptoms. Expressing feelings
such as excitement or fear is an example of subjective data. Objective data are observations or
measurements of a patient’s health status. In this question, the appearance of the wound and the
patient’s temperature are objective data. Pacing is an observable patient behavior and is also
considered objective data.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:213-214
OBJ: Differentiate between subjective and objective data. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
MATCHING
A nurse is completing an assessment using the PQRST to obtain data about the patient’s chest pain.
Match the questions to the components of the PQRST that the nurse will be using.
a.
Where is the pain located?
b.
What causes the pain?
c.
Does it come and go?
d.
What does the pain feel like?
e.
What is the rating on a scale of 0 to 10?
1. Provokes
2. Quality
1b, 2d, 3a, 4e, 5c
3. Radiate
4. Severity
5.Time
1.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
2.ANS:DDIF:Apply (application)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
3.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4.ANS:EDIF:Apply (application)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
5.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:219
OBJ: Describe the methods of data collection. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
Chapter 17: Nursing Diagnosis
Chapter 17: Nursing Diagnosis
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. After assessing a patient, a nurse develops a standard formal nursing diagnosis. What is the
rationale for the nurse’s actions?
a.
To form a language that can be encoded only by nurses
b.
To distinguish the nurse’s role from the physician’s role
c.
To develop clinical judgment based on other’s intuition
d.
To help nurses focus on the scope of medical practice
ANS: B
The standard formal nursing diagnosis serves several purposes. Nursing diagnoses distinguish the
nurse’s role from that of the physician/health care provider and help nurses focus on the scope of
nursing practice (not medical) while fostering the development of nursing knowledge. A nursing
diagnosis provides the precise definition that gives all members of the health care team a common
language for understanding the patient’s needs. A diagnosis is a clinical judgment based on
information.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:225 | 227
OBJ: Discuss how a nursing diagnosis guides nursing practice. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
2. Which diagnosis will the nurse document in a patient’s care plan that is NANDA-I approved?
a.
Sore throat
b.
Acute pain
c.
Sleep apnea
d.
Heart failure
ANS: B
Acute pain is the only NANDA-I approved diagnosis listed. Sleep apnea and heart failure are
medical diagnoses, and sore throat is subjective data.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:227 | 233
OBJ: Discuss how a nursing diagnosis guides nursing practice. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse develops a nursing diagnostic statement for a patient with a medical diagnosis of
pneumonia with chest x-ray results of lower lobe infiltrates. Which nursing diagnosis did the nurse
write?
a.
Ineffective breathing pattern related to pneumonia
b.
Risk for infection related to chest x-ray procedure
c.
Risk for deficient fluid volume related to dehydration
d.
Impaired gas exchange related to alveolar-capillary membrane changes
ANS: D
The related to factor of alveolar-capillary membrane changes is accurately written because it is a
patient response to the disease process of pneumonia that the nurse can treat. The related to factor
should be the cause of the problem (nursing diagnosis) that a nurse can address. The related to
factors of dehydration and pneumonia are all medical diagnoses that the nurse cannot change. A
diagnostic test or a chronic dysfunction is not an etiology or a condition that a nursing intervention is
able to treat.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:230 | 232 | 236
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of critical thinking to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse is reviewing a patient’s plan of care, which includes the nursing diagnostic
statement, Impaired physical mobility related to tibial fracture as evidenced by patient’s inability to
ambulate. Which part of the diagnostic statement does the nurse need to revise?
a.
Etiology
b.
Nursing diagnosis
c.
Collaborative problem
d.
Defining characteristic
ANS: A
The etiology, or related to factor, of tibial fracture is a medical diagnosis and needs to be revised.
The nursing diagnosis is appropriate because the patient is unable to ambulate. A collaborative
problem is an actual or potential physiological complication that nurses monitor to detect the onset of
changes in a patient’s health status; there is no collaborative problem listed. The defining
characteristic (subjective and objective data that support the diagnosis) is appropriate for Impaired
physical mobility.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:233 | 235 | 236
OBJ: Differentiate among a nursing diagnosis, medical diagnosis, and collaborative problem.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
5. A nurse is using assessment data gathered about a patient and combining critical thinking to
develop a nursing diagnosis. What is the nurse doing?
a.
Assigning clinical cues
b.
Defining characteristics
c.
Diagnostic reasoning
d.
Diagnostic labeling
ANS: C
Diagnostic reasoning is defined as a process of using the assessment data gathered about a patient
to logically explain a clinical judgment, in this case a nursing diagnosis. Defining characteristics are
assessment findings that support the nursing diagnosis. Defining characteristics are the subjective
and objective clinical cues, which a nurse gathers intentionally and unintentionally. The nurse
organizes all of the patient’s data into meaningful and usable data clusters, which lead to a
diagnostic conclusion. Diagnostic labeling is simply the name of the diagnosis.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:230
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of critical thinking to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
6. A patient presents to the emergency department following a motor vehicle crash and suffers a
right femur fracture. The leg is stabilized in a full leg cast. Otherwise, the patient has no other major
injuries, is in good health, and reports only moderate discomfort. Which is the mostpertinent nursing
diagnosis the nurse will include in the plan of care?
a.
Posttrauma syndrome
b.
Constipation
c.
Acute pain
d.
Anxiety
ANS: C
Based on the assessment data provided, the only supportive evidence for one of the diagnosis
options is “Reports only moderate discomfort,” which would support Acute pain. No supportive
evidence is provided for any of the other diagnoses. The patient may indeed develop signs or
symptoms of the other problems, but supportive data are presently lacking in the provided
information.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:230 | 233
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of critical thinking to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
7. The nurse is reviewing a patient’s database for significant changes and discovers that the patient
has not voided in over 8 hours. The patient’s kidney function lab results are abnormal, and the
patient’s oral intake has significantly decreased since previous shifts. Which step of the nursing
process should the nurse proceed to after this review?
a.
Diagnosis
b.
Planning
c.
Implementation
d.
Evaluation
ANS: A
After a thorough assessment, the nurse should proceed to analyzing the data and formulating a
nursing diagnosis before proceeding with developing the plan of care and determining appropriate
interventions; this is the diagnosis phase. The evaluation phase involves determining whether the
goals were met and interventions were effective.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:226 | 230
OBJ: Describe the steps of the nursing diagnostic process. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
8. A patient with a spinal cord injury is seeking to enhance urinary elimination abilities by learning
self-catheterization versus assisted catheterization by home health nurses and family members. The
nurse adds Readiness for enhanced urinary elimination in the care plan. Which type of diagnosis did
the nurse write?
a.
Risk
b.
Problem focused
c.
Health promotion
d.
Collaborative problem
ANS: C
A health promotion nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment concerning motivation and desire to
increase well-being and actualize human health potential. A problem-focused nursing diagnosis
describes a clinical judgment concerning an undesirable human response to a health condition/life
process that exists in an individual, family, or community. A risk nursing diagnosis is a clinical
judgment concerning the vulnerability of an individual, family, group or community for developing an
undesirable human response to health conditions/life processes. A collaborative problem is an actual
or potential physiological complication that nurses monitor to detect the onset of changes in a
patient’s health status.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:227 | 230
OBJ:Describe the differences among health promotion, problem focused, and risk nursing
diagnoses.TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse administers an antihypertensive medication to a patient at the scheduled time of 0900.
The nursing assistive personnel (NAP) then reports to the nurse that the patient’s blood pressure
was low when it was taken at 0830. The NAP states that was busy and had not had a chance to tell
the nurse yet. The patient begins to complain of feeling dizzy and light-headed. The blood pressure
is rechecked and it has dropped even lower. In which phase of the nursing process did the
nurse first make an error?
a.
Assessment
b.
Diagnosis
c.
Implementation
d.
Evaluation
ANS: A
The diagnostic process should flow from the assessment. In this case, the nurse should have
assessed the patient’s blood pressure before giving the medication. The nurse could have prevented
the patient’s untoward reaction if the low blood pressure was assessed first. Diagnosis follows
assessment. Administering the medication occurs in implementation, but this is not the first error.
There are no errors in evaluation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:226 | 230 | 233
OBJ: Discuss the relationship of critical thinking to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse adds the following diagnosis to a patient’s care plan: Constipation related to decreased
gastrointestinal motility secondary to pain medication administration as evidenced by the patient
reporting no bowel movement in seven days, abdominal distention, and abdominal pain. Which
element did the nurse write as the defining characteristic?
a.
Decreased gastrointestinal motility
b.
Pain medication
c.
Abdominal distention
d.
Constipation
ANS: C
Abdominal distention, no reported bowel movement, and abdominal pain are the defining
characteristics. Decreased gastrointestinal motility secondary to pain medication is an etiology or
related to factor. Constipation (problem or NANDA-1 diagnosis) is the identified problem derived
from the defining characteristics.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:227 | 230 | 231 | 233
OBJ:Explain how defining characteristics and the etiological factor individualize a nursing
diagnosis.TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
11. The patient database reveals that a patient has decreased oral intake, decreased oxygen
saturation when ambulating, reports of shortness of breath when getting out of bed, and a productive
cough. Which elements will the nurse identify as defining characteristics for the diagnostic label
of Activity intolerance?
a.
Decreased oral intake and decreased oxygen saturation when ambulating
b.
Decreased oxygen saturation when ambulating and reports of shortness of breath when getting out of bed
c.
Reports of shortness of breath when getting out of bed and a productive cough
d.
Productive cough and decreased oral intake
ANS: B
There are defining characteristics (observable assessment cues such as patient behavior, physical
signs) that support each problem-focused diagnostic judgment. The signs and symptoms, or defining
characteristics, for the diagnosis Activity intolerance include decreased oxygen saturation when
ambulating and reports of shortness of breath when getting out of bed. The key to supporting the
diagnosis of Activity intolerance is that only these two characteristics involve how the patient
tolerates activity. Decreased oral intake and productive cough do not define activity intolerance.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:230 | 233
OBJ:Explain how defining characteristics and the etiological factor individualize a nursing
diagnosis.TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
12. A nurse performs an assessment on a patient. Which assessment data will the nurse use as an
etiology for Acute pain?
a.
Discomfort while changing position
b.
Reports pain as a 7 on a 0 to 10 scale
c.
Disruption of tissue integrity
d.
Dull headache
ANS: C
Disruption of tissue integrity is a possible cause or etiology of pain. A report of pain, headache, and
discomfort are examples of things a patient might say (subjective data or defining characteristics)
that may lead a nurse to select Acute pain as a nursing diagnosis.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:232-233
OBJ:Explain how defining characteristics and the etiological factor individualize a nursing
diagnosis.TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
13. A new nurse writes the following nursing diagnoses on a patient’s care plan. Which nursing
diagnosis will cause the nurse manager to intervene?
a.
Wandering
b.
Hemorrhage
c.
Urinary retention
d.
Impaired swallowing
ANS: B
Hemorrhage is a collaborative problem, not a nursing diagnosis; the nurse manager will need to
correct this misunderstanding with the new nurse. Nurses manage collaborative problems such as
hemorrhage, infection, and paralysis using medical, nursing, and allied health (e.g., physical
therapy) interventions. Wandering, urinary retention, and impaired swallowing are all examples of
nursing diagnoses.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:225 | 231 | 232
OBJ: Differentiate among a nursing diagnosis, medical diagnosis, and collaborative problem.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
14. A patient has a bacterial infection in left lower leg. Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse add to
the patient’s care plan?
a.
Infection
b.
Risk for infection
c.
Impaired skin integrity
d.
Staphylococcal leg infection
ANS: C
Impaired skin integrity is the only nursing diagnosis listed that will correlate to the patient information.
While risk for infection is a nursing diagnosis, the patient is not at risk; the patient has an actual
infection. Infection can be a medical diagnosis as well as a collaborative problem. Staphylococcal
leg infection is a medical diagnosis.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:225
OBJ: Differentiate among a nursing diagnosis, medical diagnosis, and collaborative problem.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
15. A nurse adds a nursing diagnosis to a patient’s care plan. Which information did the nurse
document?
a.
Decreased cardiac output related to altered myocardial contractility.
b.
Patient needs a low-fat diet related to inadequate heart perfusion.
c.
Offer a low-fat diet because of heart problems.
d.
Acute heart pain related to discomfort.
ANS: A
Decreased cardiac output related to altered myocardial contractility is a correctly written nursing
diagnosis. Patient needs a low-fat diet related to inadequate heart perfusion is a goal phrased
statement, not a nursing diagnosis. Offer a low-fat diet is an intervention, not a diagnosis. Acute pain
related to discomfort is a circular diagnosis and gives no direction to nursing care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:230 | 233 | 234-236
OBJ: Describe sources of diagnostic errors. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
16. A charge nurse is evaluating a new nurse’s plan of care. Which finding will cause the charge
nurse to follow up?
a.
Assigning a documented nursing diagnosis of Risk for infection for a patient on intravenous (IV) antibiotics
b.
Completing an interview and physical examination before adding a nursing diagnosis
c.
Developing nursing diagnoses before completing the database
d.
Including cultural and religious preferences in the database
ANS: C
Developing nursing diagnoses before completion of the database needs to be corrected by the
charge nurse. Always identify a nursing diagnosis from the data, not the reverse. The data should be
clustered and reviewed to see if any patterns are present before a nursing diagnosis is assigned.
Risk for infection is an appropriate diagnosis for a patient with an intravenous (IV) site in place. The
IV site involves a break in skin integrity and is a potential source of infection. The diagnostic process
should proceed in steps. Completing the interview and physical examination before adding a nursing
diagnosis is appropriate. The patient’s cultural background and developmental stage are important
to include in a patient database.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:230 | 234-236
OBJ: Describe sources of diagnostic errors. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
17. A patient exhibits the following symptoms: tachycardia, increased thirst, headache, decreased
urine output, and increased body temperature. The nurse analyzes the data. Which nursing
diagnosis will the nurse assign to the patient?
a.
Adult failure to thrive
b.
Hypothermia
c.
Deficient fluid volume
d.
Nausea
ANS: C
The signs the patient is exhibiting are consistent with deficient fluid volume (dehydration). Even
without knowing the clinical manifestations of dehydration, the question can be answered by the
process of elimination. Adult failure to thrive, hypothermia, and nausea are not appropriate
diagnoses because data are insufficient to support these diagnoses.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:230 | 233
OBJ: Identify nursing diagnoses from a nursing assessment. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
18. Which question would be most appropriate for a nurse to ask a patient to assist in establishing a
nursing diagnosis of Diarrhea?
a.
“What types of foods do you think caused your upset stomach?”
b.
“How many bowel movements a day have you had?”
c.
“Are you able to get to the bathroom in time?”
d.
“What medications are you currently taking?”
ANS: B
The nurse needs to first ensure that the symptoms support the diagnosis. By definition, diarrhea
means that a patient is having frequent stools; therefore, asking about the number of bowel
movements is most appropriate. Asking about irritating foods and medications may help the nurse
determine the cause of the diarrhea, but first the nurse needs to make sure the diagnosis is
appropriate. Asking the patient if he can make it to the bathroom will help to establish a diagnosis of
incontinence, not diarrhea. The question is asking for the most appropriate statement to establish
the diagnosis of Diarrhea.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:230
OBJ: Identify nursing diagnoses from a nursing assessment. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
19. A nurse assesses that a patient has not voided in 6 hours. Which question should the nurse ask
to assist in establishing a nursing diagnosis of Urinary retention?
a.
“Do you feel like you need to go to the bathroom?”
b.
“Are you able to walk to the bathroom by yourself?”
c.
“When was the last time you took your medicine?”
d.
“Do you have a safety rail in your bathroom at home?”
ANS: A
The nurse must establish that the patient feels the urge and is unable to void. The question “Do you
feel like you need to go to the bathroom?” is the most appropriate to ask. This question can be
answered without knowledge of the diagnosis of Urinary retention. Discussing the ability to walk to
the bathroom and asking about safety rails pertain to mobility and safety issues, not to retention of
urine. Taking certain medications may lead to urinary retention, but that information would establish
the etiology. The question is asking for the nurse to first establish the correct diagnosis.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:230 | 235
OBJ: Identify nursing diagnoses from a nursing assessment. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
20. A nurse is developing nursing diagnoses for a patient. Beginning with the first step, place in
order the steps the nurse will use.
1. Observes the patient having dyspnea (shortness of breath) and a diagnosis of asthma
2. Writes a diagnostic label of impaired gas exchange
3. Organizes data into meaningful clusters
4. Interprets information from patient
5. Writes an etiology
a.
1, 3, 4, 2, 5
b.
1, 3, 4, 5, 2
c.
1, 4, 3, 5, 2
d.
1, 4, 3, 2, 5
ANS: A
The diagnostic process flows from the assessment process (observing and gathering data) and
includes decision-making steps. These steps include data clustering, identifying patient health
problems, and formulating the diagnosis (diagnosis is written as problem or NANDA-I approved
diagnosis then etiology or cause).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:230-231
OBJ: Describe the steps of the nursing diagnostic process. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is developing nursing diagnoses for a group of patients. Which nursing diagnoses will the
nurse use? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Anxiety related to barium enema
b.
Impaired gas exchange related to asthma
c.
Impaired physical mobility related to incisional pain
d.
Nausea related to adverse effect of cancer medication
e.
Risk for falls related to nursing assistive personnel leaving bedrail down
ANS: C, D
Impaired physical mobility and Nausea are the only correctly written nursing diagnoses. All the rest
are incorrectly written. Anxiety lists a diagnostic test as the etiology. Impaired gas exchange lists a
medical diagnosis as the etiology. Risk for falls has a legally inadvisable statement for an etiology.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:233-236
OBJ: Describe sources of diagnostic errors. TOP: Diagnosis
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 18: Planning Nursing Care
Chapter 18: Planning Nursing Care
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse completes a thorough assessment of a patient and analyzes the data to identify nursing
diagnoses. Which step will the nurse take next in the nursing process?
a.
Assessment
b.
Diagnosis
c.
Planning
d.
Implementation
ANS: C
After identifying a patient’s nursing diagnoses and collaborative problems, a nurse prioritizes the
diagnoses, sets patient-centered goals and expected outcomes, and chooses nursing interventions
appropriate for each diagnosis. This is the third step of the nursing process, planning. The
assessment phase of the nursing process involves gathering data. The implementation phase
involves carrying out appropriate nursing interventions. During the evaluation phase, the nurse
assesses the achievement of goals and effectiveness of interventions.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:240
OBJ: Explain the relationship of planning to assessment and nursing diagnosis.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
2. A patient’s plan of care includes the goal of increasing mobility this shift. As the patient is
ambulating to the bathroom at the beginning of the shift, the patient suffers a fall. Which initialaction
will the nurse take next to revise the plan of care?
a.
Consult physical therapy.
b.
Establish a new plan of care.
c.
Set new priorities for the patient.
d.
Assess the patient.
ANS: D
Nurses revise a plan when a patient’s status changes; assessment is the first step. Know also that a
plan of care is dynamic and changes as the patient’s needs change. Asking physical therapy to
assist the patient is premature before assessing the patient and awaiting the health care provider’s
orders. The nurse may not need to disregard all previous diagnoses. Some diagnoses may still
apply, but the patient needs to be assessed first. Setting new priorities is not recommended before
assessment and establishing diagnoses.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:241 | 248
OBJ: Discuss criteria used in priority setting. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
3. Which information indicates a nurse has a good understanding of a goal?
a.
It is a statement describing the patient’s accomplishments without a time restriction.
b.
It is a realistic statement predicting any negative responses to treatments.
c.
It is a broad statement describing a desired change in a patient’s behavior.
d.
It is a measurable change in a patient’s physical state.
ANS: C
A goal is a broad statement that describes a desired change in a patient’s condition or behavior. A
goal is mutually set with the patient. An expected outcome is the measurable changes (patient
behavior, physical state, or perception) that must be achieved to reach a goal. Expected outcomes
are time limited, measurable ways of determining if a goal is met.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:242 | 243
OBJ:Discuss the difference between a goal and an expected outcome.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient with a pelvic fracture on bed rest. Which goal
statement is realistic for the nurse to assign to this patient?
a.
Patient will increase activity level this shift.
b.
Patient will turn side to back to side with assistance every 2 hours.
c.
Patient will use the walker correctly to ambulate to the bathroom as needed.
d.
Patient will use a sliding board correctly to transfer to the bedside commode as needed.
ANS: A
A goal is a broad statement of desired change; the patient will increase activity level is a broad
statement. Turning is the expected outcome. When determining goals, the nurse needs to ensure
that the goal is individualized and realistic for the patient. Since the patient is on bed rest, using a
walker and bedside commode is contraindicated.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:242-243 | 245
OBJ:Discuss the difference between a goal and an expected outcome.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
5. The following statements are on a patient’s nursing care plan. Which statement will the nurse use
as an outcome for a goal of care?
a.
The patient will verbalize a decreased pain level less than 3 on a 0 to 10 scale by the end of this shift.
b.
The patient will demonstrate increased tolerance to activity over the next month.
c.
The patient will understand needed dietary changes by discharge.
d.
The patient will demonstrate increased mobility in 2 days.
ANS: A
An expected outcome is a specific and measurable change that is expected as a result of nursing
care. Verbalizing decreased pain on a 0 to 10 scale is an outcome. The other three options in this
question are goals. Demonstrating increased mobility in 2 days and understanding necessary dietary
changes by discharge are short-term goals because they are expected to occur in less than a week.
Demonstrating increased tolerance to activity over a month-long period is a long-term goal because
it is expected to occur over a longer period of time.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:243-245
OBJ: Correctly write an outcome for a goal of care. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
6. A charge nurse is reviewing outcome statements using the SMART approach. Which patient
outcome statement will the charge nurse praise to the new nurse?
a.
The patient will ambulate in hallways.
b.
The nurse will monitor the patient’s heart rhythm continuously this shift.
c.
The patient will feed self at all mealtimes today without reports of shortness of breath.
d.
The nurse will administer pain medication every 4 hours to keep the patient free from discomfort.
ANS: C
An expected outcome should be patient centered; should address one patient response; should be
specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed (SMART approach). The statement “The patient
will feed self at all mealtimes today without reports of shortness of breath” includes all SMART
criteria for goal writing. “The patient will ambulate in hallways” is missing a time limit. Administering
pain medication and monitoring the patient’s heart rhythm are nursing interventions; they do not
reflect patient behaviors or actions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:245
OBJ: Explain the SMART approach to writing goal and outcome statements.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
7. A nursing assessment for a patient with a spinal cord injury leads to several pertinent nursing
diagnoses. Which nursing diagnosis is the highest priority for this patient?
a.
Risk for impaired skin integrity
b.
Risk for infection
c.
Spiritual distress
d.
Reflex urinary incontinence
ANS: D
Reflex urinary incontinence is highest priority. If a patient’s incontinence is not addressed, then the
patient is at higher risk of impaired skin integrity and infection. Remember that the Risk for
diagnoses are potential problems. They may be prioritized higher in some cases but not in this
situation. Spiritual distress is an actual diagnosis, but the adverse effects that could result from not
assisting the patient with urinary elimination take priority in this case.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:241-242
OBJ: Develop a plan of care from a nursing assessment. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
8. The new nurse is caring for six patients in this shift. After completing their assessments, the nurse
asks where to begin in developing care plans for these patients. Which statement is an appropriate
suggestion by another nurse?
a.
“Choose all the interventions and perform them in order of time needed for each one.”
b.
“Make sure you identify the scientific rationale for each intervention first.”
c.
“Decide on goals and outcomes you have chosen for the patients.”
d.
“Begin with the highest priority diagnoses, then select appropriate interventions.”
ANS: D
Work from your plan of care and use patients’ priorities to organize the order for delivering
interventions and organizing documentation of care. When developing a plan of care, the nurse
needs to rank the nursing diagnoses in order of priority, then select appropriate interventions.
Choosing all the interventions should take place after ranking of the diagnoses, and interventions
should be prioritized by patient needs, not just by time. The chosen interventions should be evidence
based with scientific rationales, but the diagnoses need to be prioritized first to prioritize
interventions. Goals for a patient should be mutually set, not just chosen by the nurse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:241-242
OBJ: Develop a plan of care from a nursing assessment. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
9. A patient’s son decides to stay at the bedside while his father is confused. When developing the
plan of care for this patient, what should the nurse do?
a.
Individualize the care plan only according to the patient’s needs.
b.
Request that the son leave at bedtime, so the patient can rest.
c.
Suggest that a female member of the family stay with the patient.
d.
Involve the son in the plan of care as much as possible.
ANS: D
The family is often a resource to help the patient meet health care goals. Family should be included
in the plan of care as much as possible. Meeting some of the family’s needs as well as the patient’s
needs will possibly improve the patient’s level of wellness. The son should not be asked to leave if at
all possible. In some situations, it may be best that family members not remain in the room, but no
evidence in the question stem suggests that this is the case in this situation. The suggestion of
asking a female member to stay is not a justified action without a legitimate reason. No reason is
given in this question stem for such a suggestion.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:248-249
OBJ: Develop a plan of care from a nursing assessment. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse is caring for a patient with a nursing diagnosis of Constipation related to slowed
gastrointestinal motility secondary to pain medications. Which outcome is most appropriate for the
nurse to include in the plan of care?
a.
Patient will have one soft, formed bowel movement by end of shift.
b.
Patient will walk unassisted to bathroom by the end of shift.
c.
Patient will be offered laxatives or stool softeners this shift.
d.
Patient will not take any pain medications this shift.
ANS: A
The identified problem, or nursing diagnosis, is constipation. Therefore, the outcome should be that
the constipation is relieved. To measure constipation relief, the nurse will be observing for the patient
to have a bowel movement. During planning, you select goals and expected outcomes for each
nursing diagnosis or problem to provide clear direction for the type of interventions needed to care
for your patient and to then evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. Not taking pain
medications may or may not relieve the constipation. Although not taking pain medicines might be
an intervention, the nurse doesn’t want the patient to be in pain to relieve constipation. Other
measures, such as administering laxatives or stool softeners, might be appropriate interventions but
they are not outcomes. The patient walking unassisted to the bathroom addresses mobility, not
constipation. The patient may need to walk to the bathroom to have a bowel movement, but the
appropriate outcome for constipation is that the constipation is relieved as evidenced by a bowel
movement—something that the nurse can observe.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:242 | 245
OBJ: Develop a plan of care from a nursing assessment. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
11. The nurse performs an intervention for a collaborative problem. Which type of intervention did
the nurse perform?
a.
Dependent
b.
Independent
c.
Interdependent
d.
Physician-initiated
ANS: C
Collaborative interventions, or interdependent interventions, are therapies that require the combined
knowledge, skill, and expertise of multiple health care professionals. Health care provider-initiated
(HCP) interventions are dependent nursing interventions, or actions that require an order from the
HCP. Nurse-initiated interventions are the independent nursing interventions, or actions that a nurse
initiates without supervision or direction from others.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:246
OBJ: Discuss the differences among independent, dependent, and collaborative nursing
interventions. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
12. A registered nurse administers pain medication to a patient suffering from fractured ribs. Which
type of nursing intervention is this nurse implementing?
a.
Collaborative
b.
Independent
c.
Interdependent
d.
Dependent
ANS: D
The nurse does not have prescriptive authority to order pain medications, unless the nurse is an
advanced practice nurse. The intervention is therefore dependent. Administering a medication,
implementing an invasive procedure (e.g., inserting a Foley catheter, starting an intravenous [IV]
infusion), and preparing a patient for diagnostic tests are examples of health care provider-initiated
interventions. A collaborative, or an interdependent, intervention involves therapies that require
combined knowledge, skill, and expertise from multiple health care professionals. Nurse-initiated
interventions are the independent nursing interventions, or actions that a nurse initiates without
supervision or direction from others.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:246
OBJ: Discuss the differences among independent, dependent, and collaborative nursing
interventions. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
13. Which action indicates the nurse is using a PICOT question to improve care for a patient?
a.
Practices nursing based on the evidence presented in court
b.
Implements interventions based on scientific research
c.
Uses standardized care plans for all patients.
d.
Plans care based on tradition
ANS: B
The best answer is implementing interventions based on scientific research. Using results of a
literature search to a PICOT question can help a nurse decide which interventions to use. Practicing
based on evidence presented in court is incorrect. Practice is based on current research. Using
standardized care plans may be one example of evidence-based practice, but it is not used on all
patients. The nurse must be careful in using standardized care plans to ensure that each patient’s
plan of care is still individualized. Planning care based on tradition is incorrect because nursing care
should be based on current research.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:240 | 244 | 246
OBJ: Describe how use of a PICOT question can influence a patient’s plan of care.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
14. A nurse is developing a care plan. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nursing
diagnostic statement Risk for loneliness related to impaired verbal communication?
a.
Provide the patient with a writing board each shift.
b.
Obtain an interpreter for the patient as soon as possible.
c.
Assist the patient in performing swallowing exercises each shift.
d.
Ask the family to provide a sitter to remain with the patient at all times.
ANS: A
Choose interventions to alter the etiological (related to) factor or causes of the diagnosis. If the
etiology is impaired verbal communication, then the nurse should choose an intervention that will
address the problem. Providing the patient with a writing board will allow the patient to communicate
by writing because the patient is unable to communicate verbally at this time. Obtaining an
interpreter might be an appropriate intervention if the patient spoke a foreign language. Assisting
with swallowing exercises will help the patient with swallowing, which is a different etiology
than impaired verbal communication. Asking the family to provide a sitter at all times is many times
unrealistic and does not relate to the impaired verbal communication; the goal would relate to the
loneliness.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:247
OBJ: Discuss the process of selecting nursing interventions during planning.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
15. A nurse is completing a care plan. Which intervention is most appropriate for the nursing
diagnostic statement Impaired skin integrity related to shearing forces?
a.
Administer pain medication every 4 hours as needed.
b.
Turn the patient every 2 hours, even hours.
c.
Monitor vital signs, especially rhythm.
d.
Keep the bed side rails up at all times.
ANS: B
The most appropriate intervention for the diagnosis of Impaired skin integrity is to turn the patient.
Choose interventions to alter the etiological (related to) factor or causes of the diagnosis. The other
options do not directly address the shearing forces. The patient may need pain medication,
but Acute pain would be another nursing diagnosis. Monitoring vital signs does not have when or
how often these should be done. Keeping the side rails up addresses safety, not skin integrity.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:247
OBJ: Discuss the process of selecting nursing interventions during planning.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
16. A patient has reduced muscle strength following a left-sided stroke and is at risk for falling.
Which intervention is most appropriate for the nursing diagnostic statement Risk for falls?
a.
Keep all side rails down at all times.
b.
Encourage patient to remain in bed most of the shift.
c.
Place patient in room away from the nurses’ station if possible.
d.
Assist patient into and out of bed every 4 hours or as tolerated.
ANS: D
Risk for falls is a risk (potential) nursing diagnosis; therefore, the nurse needs to implement actions
that will prevent a fall. Assisting the patient into and out of bed is the most appropriate intervention to
prevent the patient from falling. Encouraging activity builds muscle strength, and helping the patient
with transfers ensures patient safety. Encouraging the patient to stay in bed will not promote muscle
strength. Decreased muscle strength is the risk factor placing the patient in jeopardy of falling. The
side rails should be up, not down, according to agency policy. This will remind the patient to ask for
help to get up and will keep the patient from rolling out of bed. The patient should be placed near the
nurses’ station, so a staff member can quickly get to the room and assist the patient if necessary.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:246-247
OBJ: Discuss the process of selecting nursing interventions during planning.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
17. Which action will the nurse take after the plan of care for a patient is developed?
a.
Place the original copy in the chart, so it cannot be tampered with or revised.
b.
Communicate the plan to all health care professionals involved in the patient’s care.
c.
File the plan of care in the administration office for legal examination.
d.
Send the plan of care to quality assurance for review.
ANS: B
Setting realistic goals and outcomes often means you must communicate these goals and outcomes
to caregivers in other settings who will assume responsibility for patient care. The plan of care
communicates nursing care priorities to nurses and other health care professionals. Know also that a
plan of care is dynamic and changes as the patient’s needs change. All health care professionals
involved in the patient’s care need to be informed of the plan of care. The plan of care is not sent to
the administrative office or quality assurance office.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:245
OBJ: Describe the role that communication plays in planning patient-centered care.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
18. A nurse is preparing to make a consult. In which order, beginning with the first step, will the
nurse take?
1. Identify the problem.
2. Discuss the findings and recommendation.
3. Provide the consultant with relevant information about the problem.
4. Contact the right professional, with the appropriate knowledge and expertise.
5. Avoid bias by not providing a lot of information based on opinion to the consultant.
a.
1, 4, 3, 5, 2
b.
4, 1, 3, 2, 5
c.
1, 4, 5, 3, 2
d.
4, 3, 1, 5, 2
ANS: A
The first step in making a consultation is to assess the situation and identify the general problem
area. Second, direct the consultation to the right professional such as another nurse or social
worker. Third, provide a consultant with relevant information about the problem area and seek a
solution. Fourth, do not prejudice or influence consultants. Fifth, be available to discuss a
consultant’s findings and recommendations.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:253
OBJ:Describe the consultation process.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
19. A hospital’s wound nurse consultant made a recommendation for nurses on the unit about how
to care for the patient’s dressing changes. Which action should the nurses take next?
a.
Include dressing change instructions and frequency in the care plan.
b.
Assume that the wound nurse will perform all dressing changes.
c.
Request that the health care provider look at the wound.
d.
Encourage the patient to perform the dressing changes.
ANS: A
Incorporate the consultant’s recommendations into the care plan. The wound nurse clearly
recommends that nurses on the unit, not the patient, should continue dressing changes. The nurses
should not make a wrong assumption that the wound nurse is doing all the dressing changes. The
recommendation states for the nurses to do the dressing changes. If the nurses feel strongly about
obtaining another opinion, then the health care provider should be contacted. No evidence in the
question suggests that the patient needs a second opinion.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:253
OBJ: Describe the consultation process. TOP: Planning MSC: Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is planning care for a patient with a nursing diagnosis of Impaired skin integrity. The
patient needs many nursing interventions, including a dressing change, several intravenous
antibiotics, and a walk. Which factors does the nurse consider when prioritizing interventions?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Rank all the patient’s nursing diagnoses in order of priority.
b.
Do not change priorities once they’ve been established.
c.
Set priorities based solely on physiological factors.
d.
Consider time as an influencing factor.
e.
Utilize critical thinking.
ANS: A, D, E
By ranking a patient’s nursing diagnoses in order of importance and always monitoring changing
signs and symptoms (defining characteristics) of patient problems, you attend to each patient’s most
important needs and better organize ongoing care activities. Prioritizing the problems, or nursing
diagnoses, will help the nurse decide which problem to address first. Symptom pattern recognition
from your assessment database and certain knowledge triggers help you understand which
diagnoses require intervention and the associated time frame to intervene effectively. Planning
requires critical thinking applied through deliberate decision making and problem solving. The nurse
avoids setting priorities based solely on physiological factors; other factors should be considered as
well. The order of priorities changes as a patient’s condition and needs change, sometimes within a
matter of minutes.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:241
OBJ: Discuss criteria used in priority setting. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is teaching the staff about the benefits of Nursing Outcomes Classification. Which
information should the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Includes seven domains for level 1
b.
Uses an easy 3-point Likert scale
c.
Adds objectivity to judging a patient’s progress
d.
Allows choice in which interventions to choose
e.
Measures nursing care on a national and international level
ANS: C, E
Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) links outcomes to NANDA International nursing diagnoses.
Such a rating system adds objectivity to judging a patient’s progress. Using standardized nursing
terminologies such as NOC makes it more possible to measure aspects of nursing care on a
national and international level. The indicators for each NOC outcome allow measurement of the
outcomes at any point on a 5-point Likert scale from most negative to most positive. This resource is
an option you can use in selecting goals and outcomes (not interventions) for your patients. The
Nursing Interventions Classification model includes three levels: domains, classes, and interventions
for ease of use. The seven domains are the highest level (level 1) of the model, using broad terms
(e.g., safety and basic physiological) to organize the more specific classes and interventions.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:244
OBJ:Explain the benefits of using the nursing outcomes classification.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 19: Implementing Nursing Care
Chapter 19: Implementing Nursing Care
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is providing nursing care to patients after completing a care plan from nursing diagnoses.
In which step of the nursing process is the nurse?
a.
Assessment
b.
Planning
c.
Implementation
d.
Evaluation
ANS: C
Implementation, the fourth step of the nursing process, formally begins after a nurse develops a plan
of care. With a care plan based on clear and relevant nursing diagnoses, a nurse initiates
interventions that are designed to assist the patient in achieving the goals and expected outcomes
needed to support or improve the patient’s health status. The nurse gathers data during the
assessment phase and mutually sets goals and prioritizes care during the planning phase. During
the evaluation phase, the nurse determines the achievement of goals and effectiveness of
interventions.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:257
OBJ: Explain the relationship of implementation to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
2. The nurse is teaching a new nurse about protocols. Which information from the new nurse
indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?
a. Protocols are guidelines to follow that replace the nursing care plan.
Protocols assist the clinician in making decisions and choosing interventions for specific health care problems or
b. conditions.
c. Protocols are policies designating each nurse’s duty according to standards of care and a code of ethics.
d. Protocols are prescriptive order forms that help individualize the plan of care.
ANS: B
A clinical practice guideline or protocol is a systematically developed set of statements that helps
nurses, physicians, and other health care providers make decisions about appropriate health care
for specific clinical situations. This guideline establishes interventions for specific health care
problems or conditions. The protocol does not replace the nursing care plan. Evidence-based
guidelines from protocols can be incorporated into an individualized plan of care. A clinical guideline
is not the same as a hospital policy. Standing orders contain orders for the care of a specific group
of patients. A protocol is not a prescriptive order form like a standing order.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:258
OBJ:Discuss the differences between protocols and standing orders.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
3. The standing orders for a patient include acetaminophen 650 mg every 4 hours prn for headache.
After assessing the patient, the nurse identifies the need for headache relief and determines that the
patient has not had acetaminophen in the past 4 hours. Which action will the nurse take next?
a.
Administer the acetaminophen.
b.
Notify the health care provider to obtain a verbal order.
c.
Direct the nursing assistive personnel to give the acetaminophen.
d.
Perform a pain assessment only after administering the acetaminophen.
ANS: A
A standing order is a preprinted document containing orders for the conduct of routine therapies,
monitoring guidelines, and/or diagnostic procedures for specific patients with identified clinical
problems. The nurse will administer the medication. Notifying the health care provider is not
necessary if a standing order exists. The nursing assistive personnel are not licensed to administer
medications; therefore, medication administration should not be delegated to this person. A pain
assessment should be performed before and after pain medication administration to assess the
need for and effectiveness of the medication.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:258
OBJ:Discuss the differences between protocols and standing orders.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4. Which action indicates a nurse is using critical thinking for implementation of nursing care to
patients?
a.
Determines whether an intervention is correct and appropriate for the given situation
b.
Reads over the steps and performs a procedure despite lack of clinical competency
c.
Establishes goals for a particular patient without assessment
d.
Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions
ANS: A
As you implement interventions, use critical thinking to confirm whether the interventions are correct
and still appropriate for a patient’s clinical situation. You are responsible for having the necessary
knowledge and clinical competency to perform interventions for your patients safely and effectively.
The nurse needs to recognize the safety hazards of performing an intervention without clinical
competency and seek assistance from another nurse. The nurse cannot evaluate interventions until
they are implemented. Patients need ongoing assessment before establishing goals because patient
conditions can change very rapidly.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:259-260
OBJ: Describe the association between critical thinking and selecting nursing interventions.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s care plan. Which information will the nurse identify as a nursing
intervention?
a.
The patient will ambulate in the hallway twice this shift using crutches correctly.
b.
Impaired physical mobility related to inability to bear weight on right leg.
c.
Provide assistance while the patient walks in the hallway twice this shift with crutches.
d.
The patient is unable to bear weight on right lower extremity.
ANS: C
Providing assistance to a patient who is ambulating is a nursing intervention. The statement, “The
patient will ambulate in the hallway twice this shift using crutches correctly” is a patient
outcome. Impaired physical mobility is a nursing diagnosis. The statement that the patient is unable
to bear weight and ambulate can be included with assessment data and is a defining characteristic
for the diagnosis of Impaired physical mobility.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:257 | 262
OBJ: Explain the relationship of implementation to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
6. A patient recovering from a leg fracture after a fall reports having dull pain in the affected leg and
rates it as a 7 on a 0 to 10 scale. The patient is not able to walk around in the room with crutches
because of leg discomfort. Which nursing intervention is priority?
a.
Assist the patient to walk in the room with crutches.
b.
Obtain a walker for the patient.
c.
Consult physical therapy.
d.
Administer pain medication.
ANS: D
The patient’s pain is a 7, indicating the priority is pain relief (administer pain medication). Acute pain
is the priority because the nurse can address the problem of immobility after the patient receives
adequate pain relief. Assisting the patient to walk or obtaining a walker will not address the pain the
patient is experiencing.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:259-261 | 267
OBJ: Describe the association between critical thinking and selecting nursing interventions.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
7. The nurse is caring for a patient who requires a complex dressing change. While in the patient’s
room, the nurse decides to change the dressing. Which action will the nurse take just before
changing the dressing?
a.
Gathers and organizes needed supplies
b.
Decides on goals and outcomes for the patient
c.
Assesses the patient’s readiness for the procedure
d.
Calls for assistance from another nursing staff member
ANS: C
Always be sure a patient is physically and psychologically ready for any interventions or procedures.
After determining the patient’s readiness for the dressing change, the nurse gathers needed
supplies. The nurse establishes goals and outcomes before intervening. The nurse needs to ask
another staff member to help if necessary after determining readiness of the patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:261 | 263 | 267
OBJ: Discuss the steps for revising a plan of care before performing implementation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
8. A patient visiting with family members in the waiting area tells the nurse “I don’t feel good,
especially in the stomach.” What should the nurse do?
a.
Request that the family leave, so the patient can rest.
b.
Ask the patient to return to the room, so the nurse can inspect the abdomen.
c.
Ask the patient when the last bowel movement was and to lie down on the sofa.
d.
Tell the patient that the dinner tray will be ready in 15 minutes and that may help the stomach feel better.
ANS: B
In this case, the environment needs to be conducive to completing a thorough assessment. A
patient’s care environment needs to be safe and conducive to implementing therapies. When you
need to expose a patient’s body parts, do so privately by closing room doors or curtains because the
patient will then be more relaxed; the patient needs to return to the room for an abdominal
assessment for privacy and comfort. The family can remain in the waiting area while the nurse
assists the patient back to the room. Beginning the assessment in the waiting area (lie down on the
sofa) in the presence of family and other visitors does not promote privacy and patient comfort.
Telling the patient that the dinner tray is almost ready is making an assumption that the abdominal
discomfort is due to not eating. The nurse needs to perform an assessment first.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:260 | 263
OBJ: Select appropriate interventions for a patient. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
9. A newly admitted patient who is morbidly obese asks the nurse for assistance to the bathroom for
the first time. Which action should the nurse take initially?
a.
Ask for at least two other assistive personnel to come to the room.
b.
Medicate the patient to alleviate discomfort while ambulating.
c.
Review the patient’s activity orders.
d.
Offer the patient a walker.
ANS: C
Before beginning care, review the plan to determine the need for assistance and the type required.
Before intervening, the nurse must check the patient’s orders. For example, if the patient is on bed
rest, the nurse will need to explain the use of a bedpan rather than helping the patient get out of bed
to go to the bathroom. Asking for assistive personnel is appropriate after making sure the patient can
get out of bed. If the patient is obese, the nurse will likely need assistance in getting the patient to
the bathroom. Medicating the patient before checking the orders is not advised in this situation.
Before medicating for pain, the nurse needs to perform a pain assessment. Offering the patient a
walker is a premature intervention until the orders are verified.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:260 | 263
OBJ: Select appropriate interventions for a patient. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
10. A new nurse is working in a unit that uses interdisciplinary collaboration. Which action will the
nurse take?
a.
Act as a leader of the health care team.
b.
Develop good communication skills.
c.
Work solely with nurses.
d.
Avoid conflict.
ANS: B
Good communication between other health care providers builds trust and is related to the
acceptance of your role in the health care team. As a beginning nurse, you will not be considered a
leader of the health care team, but your input as an interdisciplinary team member is critical.
Interdisciplinary involves other health care providers, not just nurses. Organizational culture includes
leadership, communication processes, shared beliefs about the quality of clinical guidelines, and
conflict resolution.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:259
OBJ: Discuss the influence of organizational culture on interdisciplinary collaboration.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
11. Which action should the nurse take first during the initial phase of implementation?
a.
Determine patient outcomes and goals.
b.
Prioritize patient’s nursing diagnoses.
c.
Evaluate interventions.
d.
Reassess the patient.
ANS: D
Assessment is a continuous process that occurs each time the nurse interacts with a patient. During
the initial phase of implementation, reassess the patient. Determining the patient’s goals and
prioritizing diagnoses take place in the planning phase before choosing interventions. Evaluation is
the last step of the nursing process.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:260-261
OBJ: Discuss the steps for revising a plan of care before performing implementation.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
12. Vital signs for a patient reveal a high blood pressure of 187/100. Orders state to notify the health
care provider for diastolic blood pressure greater than 90. What is the nurse’s firstaction?
a.
Follow the clinical protocol for a stroke.
b.
Review the most recent lab results for the patient’s potassium level.
c.
Assess the patient for other symptoms or problems, and then notify the health care provider.
d.
Administer an antihypertensive medication from the stock supply, and then notify the health care provider.
ANS: C
Communication to other health care professionals must be timely, accurate, and relevant to a
patient’s clinical situation. The best answer is to reassess the patient for other symptoms or
problems, and then notify the health care provider according to the orders. Reviewing the potassium
level does not address the problem of high blood pressure. The nurse does not follow the protocol
since the order says to notify the health care provider. The orders read to notify the health care
provider, not administer medications.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:266
OBJ: Select appropriate interventions for a patient. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
13. Which initial intervention is most appropriate for a patient who has a new onset of chest pain?
a.
Reassess the patient.
b.
Notify the health care provider.
c.
Administer a prn medication for pain.
d.
Call radiology for a portable chest x-ray.
ANS: A
Preparation for implementation ensures efficient, safe, and effective nursing care; the first activity is
reassessment. The cause of the patient’s chest pain is unknown, so the patient needs to be
reassessed before pain medication is administered or a chest x-ray is obtained. The nurse then
notifies the patient’s health care provider of the patient’s current condition in anticipation of receiving
further orders. The patient’s chest pain could be due to muscular injury or a pulmonary issue. The
nurse needs to reassess first.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:261
OBJ: Discuss the steps for revising a plan of care before performing implementation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
14. A nurse is making initial rounds on patients. Which intervention for a patient with poor wound
healing should the nurse perform first?
a.
Reinforce the wound dressing as needed with 4 × 4 gauze.
b.
Perform the ordered dressing change twice daily.
c.
Observe wound appearance and edges.
d.
Document wound characteristics.
ANS: C
The most appropriate initial intervention is to assess the wound (observe wound appearance and
edges). The nurse must assess the wound first before the findings can be documented,
reinforcement of the dressing, and the actual skill of dressing changes.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:261
OBJ: Discuss the steps for revising a plan of care before performing implementation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
15. The nurse establishes trust and talks with a school-aged patient before administering an
injection. Which type of implementation skill is the nurse using?
a.
Cognitive
b.
Interpersonal
c.
Psychomotor
d.
Judgmental
ANS: B
Nursing practice includes cognitive, interpersonal, and psychomotor skills. Interpersonal skills
involve developing trusting relationships with patients, conveying caring and compassion, and
communicating clearly. Cognitive skills include critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Psychomotor skill requires the integration of cognitive and motor abilities, such as administering the
injection. Being judgmental is not appropriate in nursing; nurses are nonjudgmental.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:263-264
OBJ: Define the three implementation skills. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
16. The nurse inserts an intravenous (IV) catheter using the correct technique and following the
recommended steps according to standards of care and hospital policy. Which type of
implementation skill is the nurse using?
a.
Cognitive
b.
Interpersonal
c.
Psychomotor
d.
Judgmental
ANS: C
Nursing practice includes cognitive, interpersonal, and psychomotor skills. Psychomotor skill
requires the integration of cognitive and motor abilities. The nurse in this example displayed the
psychomotor skill of inserting an intravenous catheter while following standards of care and
integrating knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Cognitive involves the application of critical
thinking and use of good judgment in making sound clinical decisions. Interpersonal skills involve
developing trusting relationships with patients, conveying caring and compassion, and
communicating clearly.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:264
OBJ: Define the three implementation skills. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
17. A staff development nurse is providing an inservice for other nurses to educate them about the
Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) system. During the inservice, which statement made by
one of the nurses in the room requires the staff development nurse to clarify the information
provided?
a. “This system can help medical students determine the cost of the care they provide to patients.”
“If the nursing department uses this system, communication among nurses who work throughout the hospital may be
b. enhanced.”
“We could use this system to help organize orientation for new nursing employees because we can better explain the
c. nursing interventions we use most frequently on our unit.”
d. “The NIC system provides one way to improve safe and effective documentation in the hospital’s electronic health record.”
ANS: A
NIC does not help determine the cost of services provided by nurses. The staff development nurse
would need to correct this misconception. Because this system is specific to nursing practice, it
would not help medical students determine the costs of care. The NIC system developed by the
University of Iowa differentiates nursing practice from that of other health care disciplines. All the
other statements are true. Benefits of using NIC include enhancing communication among nursing
staff and documentation, especially within health information systems such as an electronic
documentation system. NIC also helps nurses identify the nursing interventions they implement most
frequently. Units that identify routine nursing interventions can use this information to develop
checklists for orientation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:259
OBJ:Discuss the value of the Nursing Interventions Classification system in documenting nursing
care.TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
18. The nurse is intervening for a family member with role strain. Which direct care nursing
intervention is most appropriate?
a.
Assisting with activities of daily living
b.
Counseling about respite care options
c.
Teaching range-of-motion exercises
d.
Consulting with a social worker
ANS: B
Family caregivers need assistance in adjusting to the physical and emotional demands of caregiving.
Sometimes they need respite (i.e., a break from providing care). Counseling is an example of a
direct care nursing intervention. The other options do not address the identified problem of role strain
(activities of daily living and range-of-motion exercises). Consulting is an indirect care nursing
intervention.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:264-265
OBJ:Describe and compare direct and indirect nursing interventions.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
19. The nurse is intervening for a patient that has a risk for a urinary infection. Which direct care
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
a.
Teaches proper handwashing technique
b.
Properly cleans the patient’s toilet
c.
Transports urine specimen to the lab
d.
Informs the oncoming nurse during hand-off
ANS: A
Teaching proper handwashing technique is a direct care nursing intervention. All the rest are indirect
nursing care: cleaning the toilet, transporting specimens, and performing hand-off reports.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:264-265
OBJ:Describe and compare direct and indirect nursing interventions.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
20. The nurse is revising the care plan. In which order will the nurse perform the tasks, beginning
with the first step?
1. Revise specific interventions.
2. Revise the assessment column.
3. Choose the evaluation method.
4. Delete irrelevant nursing diagnoses.
a.
2, 4, 1, 3
b.
4, 2, 1, 3
c.
3, 4, 2, 1
d.
4, 2, 3, 1
ANS: A
Modification of an existing written care plan includes four steps:
1. Revise data in the assessment column to reflect the patient’s current status. Date any new data to
inform other members of the health care team of the time that the change occurred.
2. Revise the nursing diagnoses. Delete nursing diagnoses that are no longer relevant and add and
date any new diagnoses. Revise related factors and the patient’s goals, outcomes, and priorities.
Date any revisions.
3. Revise specific interventions that correspond to the new nursing diagnoses and goals. Be sure
that revisions reflect the patient’s present status.
4. Choose the method of evaluation for determining whether you achieved patient outcomes.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:261
OBJ: Discuss the steps for revising a plan of care before performing implementation.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is implementing interventions for a group of patients. Which actions are nursing
interventions? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Order chest x-ray for suspected arm fracture.
b.
Prescribe antibiotics for a wound infection.
c.
Reposition a patient who is on bed rest.
d.
Teach a patient preoperative exercises.
e.
Transfer a patient to another hospital unit.
ANS: C, D, E
A nursing intervention is any treatment based on clinical judgment and knowledge that a nurse
performs to enhance patient outcomes. Repositioning, teaching, and transferring a patient are
examples of nursing interventions. Ordering a chest x-ray and prescribing antibiotics are examples
of medical interventions performed by a health care provider.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:257 | 264
OBJ: Explain the relationship of implementation to the nursing diagnostic process.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is providing nursing care to a group of patients. Which actions are direct care
interventions? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Ambulating a patient
b.
Inserting a feeding tube
c.
Performing resuscitation
d.
Documenting wound care
e.
Teaching about medications
ANS: A, B, C, E
All of the interventions listed (ambulating, inserting a feeding tube, performing resuscitation, and
teaching) are direct care interventions involving patient and nurse interaction, except documenting
wound care. Documenting wound care is an example of an indirect intervention.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:264-265
OBJ:Describe and compare direct and indirect nursing interventions.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
3. A nurse is preparing to carry out interventions. Which resources will the nurse make sure are
available? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Equipment
b.
Safe environment
c.
Confidence
d.
Assistive personnel
e.
Creativity
ANS: A, B, D
A nurse will organize time and resources in preparation for implementing nursing care. Most nursing
procedures require some equipment or supplies. Before performing an intervention, decide which
supplies you need and determine their availability. Patient care staff (assistive personnel) work
together as patients’ needs demand it. A patient’s care environment needs to be safe and conducive
to implementing therapies. Confidence and creativity are needed to provide safe and effective
patient care; however, these are critical thinking attitudes, not resources.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:261-263
OBJ: Discuss the steps for revising a plan of care before performing implementation.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
4. Which interventions are appropriate for a patient with diabetes and poor wound healing? (Select
all that apply.)
a.
Perform dressing changes twice a day as ordered.
b.
Teach the patient about signs and symptoms of infection.
c.
Instruct the family about how to perform dressing changes.
d.
Gently refocus patient from discussing body image changes.
e.
Administer medications to control the patient’s blood sugar as ordered.
ANS: A, B, C, E
Nursing priorities include interventions directed at enhancing wound healing. Teaching the patient
about signs and symptoms of infection will help the patient identify signs of appropriate wound
healing and know when the need for calling the health care provider arises. Performing dressing
changes, controlling blood sugars through administration of medications, and instructing the family in
dressing changes all contribute to wound healing. As long as a patient is stable and alert, it is
appropriate to allow family to assist with care. The patient should be allowed to discuss body image
changes.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:262–266
OBJ: Select appropriate interventions for a patient. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
Chapter 20: Evaluation
Chapter 20: Evaluation
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse determines that the patient’s condition has improved and has met expected outcomes.
Which step of the nursing process is the nurse exhibiting?
a.
Assessment
b.
Planning
c.
Implementation
d.
Evaluation
ANS: D
Evaluation, the final step of the nursing process, is crucial to determine whether, after application of
the first four steps of the nursing process, a patient’s condition or well-being improves and if goals
have been met. Assessment, the first step of the process, includes data collection. Planning, the
third step of the process, involves setting priorities, identifying patient goals and outcomes, and
selecting nursing interventions. During implementation, nurses carry out nursing care, which is
necessary to help patients achieve their goals.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:270
OBJ:Discuss the relationship between critical thinking and evaluation.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse completes a thorough database and carries out nursing interventions based on priority
diagnoses. Which action will the nurse take next?
a.
Assessment
b.
Planning
c.
Implementation
d.
Evaluation
ANS: D
Evaluation, the final step of the nursing process, is crucial to determine whether, after application of
the first four steps of the nursing process, a patient’s condition or well-being improves. Assessment
involves gathering information about the patient. During the planning phase, patient outcomes are
determined. Implementation involves carrying out appropriate nursing interventions.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:270-271
OBJ:Discuss the relationship between critical thinking and evaluation.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
3. A new nurse asks the preceptor to describe the primary purpose of evaluation. Which statement
made by the nursing preceptor is most accurate?
a.
“An evaluation helps you determine whether all nursing interventions were completed.”
b.
“During evaluation, you determine when to downsize staffing on nursing units.”
c.
“Nurses use evaluation to determine the effectiveness of nursing care.”
d.
“Evaluation eliminates unnecessary paperwork and care planning.”
ANS: C
Evaluation is a methodical approach for determining if nursing implementation was effective in
influencing a patient’s progress or condition in a favorable way. During evaluation, you do not simply
determine whether nursing interventions were completed. The evaluation process is not used to
determine when to downsize staffing or how to eliminate paperwork and care planning.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:271
OBJ:Discuss the relationship between critical thinking and evaluation.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
4. After assessing the patient and identifying the need for headache relief, the nurse administers
acetaminophen for the patient’s headache. Which action by the nurse is priorityfor this patient?
a.
Eliminate headache from the nursing care plan.
b.
Direct the nursing assistive personnel to ask if the headache is relieved.
c.
Reassess the patient’s pain level in 30 minutes.
d.
Revise the plan of care.
ANS: C
The nurse’s priority action for this patient is to evaluate whether the nursing intervention of
administering acetaminophen was effective. The nurse does not have enough evaluative data at this
point to determine whether headache needs to be discontinued. Assessment is the nurse’s
responsibility and is not to be delegated to nursing assistive personnel. The nurse does not have
enough evaluative data to determine whether the patient’s plan of care needs to be revised.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:271 | 275
OBJ: Describe the indicators of a nurse’s ability to evaluate nursing care.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
5. A nurse is getting ready to discharge a patient who has a problem with physical mobility. What
does the nurse need to do before discontinuing the patient’s plan of care?
a.
Determine whether the patient has transportation to get home.
b.
Evaluate whether patient goals and outcomes have been met.
c.
Establish whether the patient has a follow-up appointment scheduled.
d.
Ensure that the patient’s prescriptions have been filled to take home.
ANS: B
You evaluate whether the results of care match the expected outcomes and goals set for a patient
before discontinuing a patient’s plan of care. The patient needs transportation, but that does not
address the patient’s mobility status. Whether the patient has a follow-up appointment and ensuring
that prescriptions are filled do not evaluate the problem of mobility.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:271 | 273
OBJ: Describe how evaluation leads to discontinuation, revision, or modification of a plan of care.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
6. The nurse is evaluating whether patient goals and outcomes have been met for a patient with
physical mobility problems due to a fractured leg. Which finding indicates the patient has met an
expected outcome?
a.
The nurse provides assistance while the patient is walking in the hallways.
b.
The patient is able to ambulate in the hallway with crutches.
c.
The patient will deny pain while walking in the hallway.
d.
The patient’s level of mobility will improve.
ANS: B
The patient’s being able to ambulate in the hallway with crutches is an expected outcome of nursing
care. The outcomes of nursing practice are the measurable conditions of patient, family or
community status, behavior, or perception. These outcomes are the criteria used to judge success in
delivering nursing care. The option stating, “The patient’s level of mobility will improve” is a broader
goal statement. The nurse’s assisting a patient to ambulate is an intervention. The patient’s denying
pain is an expected outcome for pain, not for physical mobility problems.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:270 | 274
OBJ: Explain the relationship among goals of care, expected outcomes, and evaluative measures
when evaluating nursing care. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
7. The nurse is evaluating whether a patient’s turning schedule was effective in preventing the
formation of pressure ulcers. Which finding indicates success of the turning schedule?
a.
Staff documentation of turning the patient every 2 hours
b.
Presence of redness only on the heels of the patient
c.
Patient’s eating 100% of all meals
d.
Absence of skin breakdown
ANS: D
To determine whether a turning schedule is successful, the nurse needs to assess for the presence
of skin breakdown. Redness on any part of the body, including only the patient’s heels, indicates that
the turning schedule was not successful. Documentation of interventions does not evaluate whether
patient outcomes were met. Eating 100% of meals does not evaluate the effectiveness of a turning
schedule.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:270 | 272-274
OBJ: Explain the relationship among goals of care, expected outcomes, and evaluative measures
when evaluating nursing care. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
8. A nurse has instituted a turn schedule for a patient to prevent skin breakdown. Upon evaluation,
the nurse finds that the patient has a stage II pressure ulcer on the buttocks. Which action will the
nurse take next?
a.
Reassess the patient and situation.
b.
Revise the turning schedule to increase the frequency.
c.
Delegate turning to the nursing assistive personnel.
d.
Apply medication to the area of skin that is broken down.
ANS: A
If a nursing diagnosis is unresolved or if you determine that a new problem has perhaps developed,
reassessment is necessary. A complete reassessment of patient factors relating to an existing
nursing diagnosis and etiology is necessary when modifying a plan. The nurse must assess before
revising, delegating and applying medication. The breakdown may be a result of inadequate
nutritional intake and medication cannot be applied unless there is an order.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:272 | 275
OBJ: Explain the process of evaluating the outcomes of care for a patient.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
9. A new nurse is confused about using evaluative measures when caring for patients and asks the
charge nurse for an explanation. Which response by the charge nurse is most accurate?
a. “Evaluative measures are multiple-page documents used to evaluate nurse performance.”
“Evaluative measures include assessment data used to determine whether patients have met their expected outcomes and
b. goals.”
“Evaluative measures are used by quality assurance nurses to determine the progress a nurse is making from novice to
c. expert nurse.”
d. “Evaluative measures are objective views for completion of nursing interventions.”
ANS: B
You conduct evaluative measures to determine if your patients met expected outcomes, not if
nursing interventions were completed. Evaluative measures are assessment skills and techniques.
Evaluative measures are not multiple-page documents, and they are used to assess the patient’s
status, not the nurse’s performance or progress from novice to expert.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:270-272
OBJ:Explain the importance of using accurate evaluation measures.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
10. The nurse is caring for a patient who has an open wound and is evaluating the progress of
wound healing. Which priority action will the nurse take?
a.
Ask the nursing assistive personnel if the wound looks better.
b.
Document the progress of wound healing as “better” in the chart.
c.
Measure the wound and observe for redness, swelling, or drainage.
d.
Leave the dressing off the wound for easier access and more frequent assessments.
ANS: C
You examine the results of care by using evaluative measures, which are assessment skills and
techniques (e.g., observations, physiological measurements, use of measurement scales, and
patient interview). The nurse performs evaluative measures, such as completing a wound
assessment, to evaluate wound healing. Nurses do not delegate assessment to nursing assistive
personnel. Documenting “better” is subjective and does not objectively describe the wound. Leaving
the dressing off for the nurse’s benefit of easier access is not a part of the evaluation process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:271-272
OBJ:Explain the importance of using accurate evaluation measures.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
11. The nurse is caring for a patient who has an order to change a dressing twice a day, at 0600 and
1800. At 1400, the nurse notices that the dressing is saturated and leaking. What is the
nurse’s next action?
a.
Wait and change the dressing at 1800 as ordered.
b.
Revise the plan of care and change the dressing now.
c.
Reassess the dressing and the wound in 2 hours.
d.
Discontinue the plan of care for wound care.
ANS: B
Because the dressing is saturated and leaking, the nurse needs to revise the plan of care and
change the dressing now. Reflection-in-action involves a nurse’s ability to recognize how a patient is
responding and then adjusting interventions as a result. A nurse will either change the frequency of
an intervention, change how the intervention is delivered, or select a new intervention. Waiting until
1800 or for another 2 hours is not appropriate because assessment data reflect that the dressing is
saturated and needs to be changed now. Data are insufficient to support discontinuing the plan of
care. Instead, data at this time indicate the need for revision of the plan of care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:271 | 274 | 275
OBJ: Describe how evaluation leads to discontinuation, revision, or modification of a plan of care.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
12. A goal for a patient with diabetes is to demonstrate effective coping skills. Which patient behavior
will indicate to the nurse achievement of this outcome?
a.
States feels better after talking with family and friends
b.
Consumes high-carbohydrate foods when stressed
c.
Dislikes the support group meetings
d.
Spends most of the day in bed
ANS: A
Evaluative data that show signs of effective coping will help the nurse determine whether the patient
has met the outcome. Talking to family and friends is the only positive option. During evaluation, you
perform evaluative measures that allow you to compare clinical data, patient behavior measures,
and patient self-report measures collected before implementation with the evaluation findings
gathered after administering nursing care. Next, you evaluate whether the results of care match the
expected outcomes and goals set for a patient. Consuming high-carbohydrate foods (patient is a
diabetic), disliking support group, and spending the day in bed indicate unsuccessful progress
toward meeting the patient’s goal.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:271 | 273
OBJ:Explain the importance of using accurate evaluation measures.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
13. A nurse is providing education to a patient about self-administering subcutaneous injections. The
patient demonstrates the self-injection. Which type of indicator did the nurse evaluate?
a.
Health status
b.
Health behavior
c.
Psychological self-control
d.
Health service utilization
ANS: B
Health behavior involves demonstrating a psychomotor skill such as self-injection. Health status is a
clinical indicator such as exercise tolerance or blood pressure control. The skill is psychomotor, not
psychological self-control. Health service utilization is readmission within 30 days or emergency
department use.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:272
OBJ:Explain the importance of using accurate evaluation measures.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
14. A nurse is evaluating the goal of acceptance of body image in a young teenage girl. Which
statement made by the patient is the best indicator of progress toward the goal?
a.
“I’m worried about what those other girls will think of me.”
b.
“I can’t wear that color. It makes my hips stick out.”
c.
“I’ll wear the blue dress. It matches my eyes.”
d.
“I will go to the pool next summer.”
ANS: C
The nurse is evaluating the improvement in body image. The only positive comment made is that the
patient is wearing the blue dress to match her eyes. Worrying about others, making my hips stick
out, and going to the pool next summer do not reflect positive changes in body image.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:271 | 273
OBJ: Explain the relationship among goals of care, expected outcomes, and evaluative measures
when evaluating nursing care. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. A nurse is evaluating goals and expected outcomes for a confused patient. Which finding
indicates positive progress toward resolving the confusion?
a.
Patient wanders halls at night.
b.
Patient’s side rails are up with bed alarm activated.
c.
Patient denies pain while ambulating with assistance.
d.
Patient correctly states names of family members in the room.
ANS: D
The goal for this patient would address a decrease or absence of confusion. Thus, one possible sign
that a patient’s confusion is improving is seen when a patient can correctly state the names of family
members in the room. You examine the results of care by using evaluative measures that relate to
goals and expected outcomes. Keeping the side rails up and using a bed alarm are interventions to
promote patient safety and prevent falls. The patient’s denying pain indicates positive progress
toward resolving pain. The patient’s wandering the halls is a sign of confusion.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:270-274
OBJ: Explain the process of evaluating the outcomes of care for a patient.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
16. A nurse identifies a fall risk when assessing a patient upon admission. The nurse and the patient
agree that the goal is for the patient to remain free from falls. However, the patient fell just before
shift change. Which action is the nurse’s priority when evaluating the patient?
a.
Identify factors interfering with goal achievement.
b.
Counsel the nursing assistive personnel on duty when the patient fell.
c.
Remove the fall risk sign from the patient’s door because the patient has suffered a fall.
d.
Request that the more experienced charge nurse complete the documentation about the fall.
ANS: A
When goals and outcomes are not met, you identify the factors that interfere with their achievement.
The nurse identifies factors that interfered with goal achievement to determine the cause of the fall.
The fall may not have been due to an error by the nursing assistive personnel; therefore, counseling
should be reserved until after the cause has been determined. The patient remains a fall risk, so the
fall risk sign should remain on the door. The nurse witnessing the fall or the nurse assigned to the
patient needs to complete the documentation. The charge nurse can be consulted to review the
documentation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:275
OBJ: Describe how evaluation leads to discontinuation, revision, or modification of a plan of care.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
17. A patient was recently diagnosed with pneumonia. The nurse and the patient have established a
goal that the patient will not experience shortness of breath with activity in 3 days with an expected
outcome of having no secretions present in the lungs in 48 hours. Which evaluative measure will the
nurse use to demonstrate progress toward this goal?
a.
No sputum or cough present in 4 days
b.
Congestion throughout all lung fields in 2 days
c.
Shallow, fast respirations 30 breaths per minute in 1 day
d.
Lungs clear to auscultation following use of inhaler
ANS: D
In this case, the patient’s goal is to not experience shortness of breath with activity in 3 days. If the
lung sounds are clear following use of inhaler, the nurse can determine that the patient is making
progress toward achieving the expected outcome. One way for the nurse to evaluate the expected
outcome is to assess the patient’s lung sounds. Goals are broad statements that describe changes
in a patient’s condition or behavior. Expected outcomes are measurable criteria used to evaluate
goal achievement. When an outcome is met, you know that the patient is making progress toward
goal achievement. The time frame of 4 days in the first option is not appropriate because this time
frame exceeds the time frame stated in the goal. Congestion indicates fluid in the lungs, and a
respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute is elevated/abnormal. This indicates that the patient is still
probably experiencing shortness of breath and secretions in the lungs.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:272-273
OBJ: Explain the relationship among goals of care, expected outcomes, and evaluative measures
when evaluating nursing care. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
18. A nurse is evaluating an expected outcome for a patient that states heart rate will be less than 80
beats/min by 12/3. Which finding will alert the nurse that the goal has been met?
a.
Heart rate 78 beats/min on 12/3
b.
Heart rate 78 beats/min on 12/4
c.
Heart rate 80 beats/min on 12/3
d.
Heart rate 80 beats/min on 12/4
ANS: A
Heart rate 78 beats/min on 12/3 indicates the goal has been met. Comparing expected and actual
findings allows you to interpret and judge a patient’s condition and whether predicted changes have
occurred. Expected outcome states less than 80, not 80. The date is by 12/3, not 12/4.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:273-274
OBJ: Explain the process of evaluating the outcomes of care for a patient.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
19. A nurse is modifying a patient’s care plan after evaluation of patient care. In which order, starting
with the first step, will the nurse perform the tasks?
1. Revise nursing diagnosis.
2. Reassess blood pressure reading.
3. Retake blood pressure after medication.
4. Administer new blood pressure medication.
5. Change goal to blood pressure less than 140/90.
a.
1, 5, 2, 4, 3
b.
2, 1, 5, 4, 3
c.
4, 3, 1, 5, 2
d.
5, 4, 5, 1, 2
ANS: B
If a nursing diagnosis is unresolved or if you determine that a new problem has perhaps developed,
reassessment is necessary. A complete reassessment of patient factors relating to an existing
nursing diagnosis and etiology is necessary when modifying a plan. After reassessment, determine
which nursing diagnoses are accurate for the situation; revise as needed. When revising a care plan,
review the goals and expected outcomes for necessary changes after the diagnosis. Then evaluate
and revise interventions as needed.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:275-276
OBJ: Describe how evaluation leads to discontinuation, revision, or modification of a plan of care.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which evaluative measures will the nurse use to
determine a patient’s responses to nursing care? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Observations of wound healing
b.
Daily blood pressure measurements
c.
Findings of respiratory rate and depth
d.
Completion of nursing interventions
e.
Patient’s subjective report of feelings about a new diagnosis of cancer
ANS: A, B, C, E
You examine the results of care by using evaluative measures, which are assessment skills and
techniques (e.g., observations, physiological measurements, use of measurement scales, and
patient interview). Examples of evaluative measures include assessment of wound healing and
respiratory status, blood pressure measurement, and assessment of patient feelings. You conduct
evaluative measures to determine if your patients met expected outcomes, not if nursing
interventions were completed.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:270-272
OBJ:Explain the importance of using accurate evaluation measures.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
2. Which nursing actions will the nurse perform in the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Set priorities for patient care.
b.
Determine whether outcomes or standards are met.
c.
Ambulate patient 25 feet in the hallway.
d.
Document results of goal achievement.
e.
Use self-reflection and correct errors.
ANS: B, D, E
The expected outcomes established during planning are the standards against which you judge
whether goals have been met and if care is successful. You evaluate whether the results of care
match the expected outcomes and goals set for a patient. Documentation and reporting are
important parts of evaluation because it is crucial to share information about a patient’s progress and
current status. Using self-reflection and correcting errors are indicators a nurse is performing
evaluation. Setting priorities is part of planning, and ambulating with a patient in the hallway is an
intervention, so it is included in the implementation step of the nursing process.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:273 | 275 | 276
OBJ: Describe the indicators of a nurse’s ability to evaluate nursing care.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 21: Managing Patient Care
Chapter 21: Managing Patient Care
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A registered nurse (RN) is the group leader of practical nurses and nursing assistive personnel.
Which nursing care model is the RN using?
a.
Case management
b.
Total patient care
c.
Primary nursing
d.
Team nursing
ANS: D
In team nursing, the RN assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a team made up of
other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel. Case management is a care approach
that coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining costs.
Total patient care involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients.
The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve
the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff
members.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:281
OBJ:Differentiate among the types of nursing care delivery models.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is overseeing the care of patients with severe diabetes and patients with heart failure to
improve cost-effectiveness and quality of care. Which nursing care delivery model is the nurse
using?
a.
Team nursing
b.
Total patient care
c.
Primary nursing
d.
Case management
ANS: D
Case management is unique because clinicians, either as individuals or as part of a collaborative
group, oversee the management of patients with specific, complex health problems or are held
accountable for some standard of cost management and quality. Case management is a care
approach that coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining
costs. In the team nursing care model, the RN assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a
team made up of other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel. Total patient care
involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients. The primary
nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve the
accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff
members.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:281
OBJ:Differentiate among the types of nursing care delivery models.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse is working in an intensive care unit (critical care). Which type of nursing care delivery
model will this nurse most likely use?
a.
Team nursing
b.
Total patient care
c.
Primary nursing
d.
Case-management
ANS: B
Total patient care is found primarily in critical care areas. Total patient care involves an RN being
responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients. In the team nursing care model, the RN
assumes the role of group or team leader and leads a team made up of other RNs, practical nurses,
and nursing assistive personnel. The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place
RNs at the bedside and improve the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the
professional relationships among staff members. Case-management is a care approach that
coordinates and links health care services to patients and families while streamlining costs.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:281
OBJ:Differentiate among the types of nursing care delivery models.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse manager discovers that the readmission rate of hospitalized patients is very high on the
hospital unit. The nurse manager desires improved coordination of care and accountability for costeffective quality care. Which nursing care delivery model is best suited for these needs?
a.
Team nursing
b.
Total patient care
c.
Primary nursing
d.
Case management
ANS: D
Case management is a care approach that coordinates and links health care services to patients
and families while streamlining costs. In team nursing, the RN assumes the role of group or team
leader and leads a team made up of other RNs, practical nurses, and nursing assistive personnel.
Total patient care involves an RN being responsible for all aspects of care for one or more patients.
The primary nursing model of care delivery was developed to place RNs at the bedside and improve
the accountability of nursing for patient outcomes and the professional relationships among staff
members.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:281
OBJ:Differentiate among the types of nursing care delivery models.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
5. A nurse is working in a facility that has fewer directors with managers and staff able to make
shared decisions. In which type of organizational structure is the nurse employed?
a.
Delegation
b.
Research-based
c.
Decentralization
d.
Philosophy of care
ANS: C
The decentralized management structure often has fewer directors, and managers and staff are able
to make shared decisions. The American Nurses Association defines delegation as transferring
responsibility for the performance of an activity or task while retaining accountability for the outcome.
Research-based means care is based upon evidence. A philosophy of care includes the professional
nursing staff’s values and concerns for the way they view and care for patients. For example, a
philosophy addresses the purpose of the nursing unit, how staff works with patients and families,
and the standards of care for the work unit.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:281-282
OBJ: Describe the elements of shared decision making. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
6. A staff member verbalizes satisfaction in working on a particular nursing unit because of the
freedom of choice and responsibility for the choices. This nurse highly values which element of
shared decision making?
a.
Authority
b.
Autonomy
c.
Responsibility
d.
Accountability
ANS: B
Autonomy is freedom of choice and responsibility for the choices. Authority refers to legitimate power
to give commands and make final decisions specific to a given position. Responsibility refers to the
duties and activities that an individual is employed to perform. Accountability refers to individuals
being answerable for their actions.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:282
OBJ: Describe the elements of shared decision making. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
7. A staff nurse delegates a task to a nursing assistive personnel (NAP), knowing that the NAP has
never performed the task before. As a result, the patient is injured, and the nurse defensively states
that the NAP should have known how to perform such a simple task. Which element of the decisionmaking process is the nurse lacking?
a.
Authority
b.
Autonomy
c.
Responsibility
d.
Accountability
ANS: D
Accountability refers to individuals being answerable for their actions. The nurse in this situation is
not taking ownership of the inappropriate delegation of a task. Autonomy is freedom of choice and
responsibility for the choices. Responsibility refers to the duties and activities that an individual is
employed to perform. Authority refers to legitimate power to give commands and make final
decisions specific to a given position.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:282
OBJ: Describe the elements of shared decision making. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
8. A nurse manager sent one of the staff nurses on the unit to a conference about new, evidencebased wound care techniques. The nurse manager asks the staff nurse to prepare a poster to
present at the next unit meeting, which will be mandatory for all nursing staff on the unit. Which type
of opportunity is the nurse manager providing for the staff?
a.
Staff education
b.
Interprofessional collaboration
c.
Providing a professional shared governance council
d.
Establishing a nursing practice committee
ANS: A
The nurse manager is planning a staff education opportunity. Staff education is one way the nurse
manager supports staff involvement in a shared decision-making model. Interprofessional
collaboration between nurses and health care providers (e.g., MD, PT, TR, etc.) is critical to the
delivery of quality, safe patient care and the creation of a positive work culture for practitioners. The
question does not state that the nurse is establishing a practice committee or a professional shared
governance council. Chaired by senior clinical staff nurses, these groups establish and maintain care
standards for nursing practice on their work unit.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:284
OBJ: Discuss the ways in which a nurse manager supports staff involvement in a decentralized
decision-making model. TOP: Planning MSC: Management of Care
9. A nurse is making a home visit and discovers that a patient’s wound infection has gotten worse.
The nurse cleans and redresses the wound. What should the nurse do next?
a.
Notify the health care provider of the findings before leaving the home.
b.
Ask the home health facility nurse manager to contact the health care provider.
c.
Document the findings and confirm with the patient the date of the next home visit.
d.
Tell the patient that the health care provider will be notified before the next home visit.
ANS: A
The nurse should notify the health care provider before leaving the home. Regardless of the setting,
an enriching professional environment is one in which staff members respect one another’s ideas,
share information, and keep one another informed. The manager should avoid taking care of
problems for staff. The staff nurse needs to learn how to professionally communicate with other
members of the health care team and demonstrate interprofessional collaboration.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:286
OBJ:Discuss the ways in which a nurse manager supports staff involvement in a decentralized
decision-making model.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse manager conducts rounds on the unit and discovers that expired stock medicine is still in
the cabinet despite the e-mail that was sent stating that it had to be discarded. The staff nurse dress
code is not being adhered to as requested in the same e-mail. Several staff nurses deny having
received the e-mail. Which action should the nurse manager take?
a.
Close the staff lounge.
b.
Enforce a stricter dress code.
c.
Include the findings on each staff member’s annual evaluation.
d.
Place a hard copy of announcements and unit policies in each staff member’s mailbox.
ANS: D
The identified problem is lack of staff communication. Sending an e-mail was not effective; therefore,
giving each staff member a hard copy along with e-mailing is another approach the manager can
take. An effective manager uses a variety of approaches to communicate quickly and accurately to
all staff. For example, many managers distribute biweekly or monthly newsletters of ongoing unit or
facility activities. Including the findings on evaluations, closing the lounge, and enforcing stricter
dress codes do not address the problem.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:283-284
OBJ:Discuss the ways in which a nurse manager supports staff involvement in a decentralized
decision-making model.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
11. A new nurse expresses frustration at not being to complete all interventions for a group of
patients in a timely manner. The nurse leaves the rounds report sheets at the nurse’s station when
caring for patients and reports having to go back and forth between rooms for equipment and
supplies. Which type of skill does the nurse need?
a.
Interpersonal communication
b.
Clinical decision making
c.
Organizational
d.
Evaluation
ANS: C
The clinical care coordination skill this nurse needs to improve on is organization. This nurse needs
to keep the patient report sheets in hand to anticipate what equipment and supplies a patient is
going to need. Then the nurse may not have to leave the room so often; this will save time. The
nurse is not having a problem communicating with others (interpersonal communication). The nurse
is not having a problem using the nursing process for clinical decisions. The nurse is not having a
problem comparing actual patient outcomes with expected outcomes (evaluation).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:284-285
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
12. Which approach will be most appropriate for a nurse to take when faced with the challenge of
performing many tasks in one shift?
a.
Do as much as possible by oneself before seeking assistance from others.
b.
Evaluate the effectiveness of all tasks when all tasks are completed.
c.
Complete one task before starting another task.
d.
Delegate tasks the nurse does not like doing.
ANS: C
The appropriate clinical care coordination skill in these options is to complete one task before
starting another task. Good time management involves setting goals to help the nurse complete one
task before starting another task. Evaluation is ongoing and should not be completed just at the end
of task completion. The nurse should not delegate tasks simply because the nurse does not like
doing them. The nurse should use delegation skills and time-management skills instead of trying to
do as much as possible with no help.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:285
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
13. Which assessment of a patient who is 1 day postsurgery to repair a hip fracture requires
immediate nursing intervention?
a.
Patient ate 40% of clear liquid breakfast.
b.
Patient’s oral temperature is 98.9° F.
c.
Patient states, “I did not realize I would be so tired after this surgery.”
d.
Patient reports severe pain 30 minutes after receiving pain medication.
ANS: D
It is important to prioritize in all caregiving situations because it allows you to see relationships
among patient problems and avoid delays in taking action that possibly leads to serious
complications for a patient. The nurse needs to report severe pain that is unrelieved by pain
medication to the health care provider. The nurse needs to recognize and differentiate normal from
abnormal findings and set priorities. Eating 40% of breakfast, having a slightly elevated temperature,
and being tired the day after surgery are expected findings following surgery and do not require
immediate intervention.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:284-285
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
14. A nurse has a transactional leader as a manager. Which finding will the nurse anticipate from
working with this leader?
a.
Increased turnover rate
b.
Increased patient mortality rate
c.
Increased rate of medication errors
d.
Increased level of patient satisfaction
ANS: D
Research has found that on nursing units where the nurse manager uses transactional leadership
there is an increased level of patient satisfaction, a lower patient mortality rate, and a lower rate of
medication errors. Turnover rate is decreased since staff retention is increased with transformational
leadership.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:279-280
OBJ:Describe the characteristics and traits of a transactional leader.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
15. A patient with an indwelling urinary catheter has been given a bed bath by a new nursing
assistive personnel. The nurse evaluating the cleanliness of the patient notices crusting at the
urinary meatus. Which action should the nurse take next?
a.
Ask the nursing assistive personnel to observe while the nurse performs catheter care.
b.
Leave the room and ask the nursing assistive personnel to go back and perform proper catheter care.
c.
Tell the nursing assistive personnel that catheter care is sloppy.
d.
Remove the catheter.
ANS: A
If the staff member’s performance is not satisfactory, give constructive and appropriate feedback.
You may discover the need to review a procedure with staff and offer demonstration. Because the
nursing assistant is new, it is best for the nurse to perform catheter care while the assistant
observes. This action will ensure that the assistant has been shown the proper way to perform the
task and fosters collaboration rather than leaving the room just to tell the assistant to come back.
Telling that catheter care is sloppy does not correct the problem. The catheter does not need to be
removed.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:287
OBJ: Discuss principles to follow in the appropriate delegation of patient care activities.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
16. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse see first?
a.
A patient needing teaching about medications
b.
A patient with a healed abdominal incision
c.
A patient with a slight temperature
d.
A patient with difficulty breathing
ANS: D
An immediate threat to a patient’s survival or safety must be addressed first, like difficulty breathing.
Teaching, healed incision, and slight temperature are not immediate needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:284-285
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
17. A nursing assistive personnel (NAP) reports seeing a reddened area on the patient’s hip while
bathing the patient. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Request a wound nurse consult.
b.
Go to the patient’s room to assess the patient’s skin.
c.
Document the finding per the NAP’s report.
d.
Ask the NAP to apply a dressing over the reddened area.
ANS: B
The nurse needs to assess the patient’s skin. Assessment should not be delegated; it is the
responsibility of the licensed registered nurse. The nurse needs to document the assessment
findings objectively, not subjectively, per the nursing assistive personnel. Before requesting a consult
or determining treatment, the nurse needs to assess the skin.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:287
OBJ: Discuss principles to follow in the appropriate delegation of patient care activities.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
18. A nurse is assigned to care for the following patients who all need vital signs taken right now.
Which patient is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate vital sign measurement to the nursing
assistive personnel (NAP)?
a.
Patient scheduled for a procedure in the nuclear medicine department
b.
Patient transferring from the intensive care unit (ICU)
c.
Patient returning from a cardiac catheterization
d.
Patient returning from hip replacement surgery
ANS: A
The nurse does not assign vital sign measurement or other tasks to NAP when patients are
experiencing a change in level of care. The patient awaiting the procedure in nuclear medicine is the
only patient who has not experienced a change in level of care. According to the rights of delegation,
tasks that are repetitive, require little supervision, are relatively noninvasive, have results that are
predictable, and have minimal risk can be delegated to assistive personnel. The patient in this
question with the most predictable condition is the patient awaiting the nuclear medicine procedure.
Once the nurse determines that the other patients are stable, the nurse could delegate their future
vital sign measurement to the NAP. However, it is important for the nurse to assess patients coming
from the ICU, the cardiac cath lab, and surgery when they first arrive on the unit.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:287-288
OBJ: Discuss principles to follow in the appropriate delegation of patient care activities.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
19. Which staff member does the nurse assign to provide morning care for an older-adult patient
who requires assistance with activities of daily living?
a.
Licensed practical nurse
b.
Cardiac monitor technician
c.
Nursing assistive personnel (NAP)
d.
Another registered nurse on the floor
ANS: C
The NAP is capable of caring for this patient and is the most cost-effective choice. The cardiac
monitor technician’s role is to watch the cardiac monitors for patients on the floor. The nurse and the
licensed practical nurse are not the most cost-effective options in this case, even though each could
assist with activities of daily living. These nurses would be better used to administer medications,
perform assessments, etc.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:287 | 288
OBJ: Discuss principles to follow in the appropriate delegation of patient care activities.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse uses the five rights of delegation when providing care. Which “rights” did the nurse use?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Right task
b.
Right person
c.
Right direction
d.
Right supervision
e.
Right circumstances
f.
Right cost-effectiveness
ANS: A, B, C, D, E
The five rights of delegation are right task, circumstances, person, direction, and supervision. Costeffectiveness is not a right.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:287
OBJ: Discuss principles to follow in the appropriate delegation of patient care activities.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is prioritizing care. Match the level of priority to the patients.
a.
Patient that needs to be turned to prevent pneumonia
b.
Patient with acute asthma attack
c.
Patient who will be discharged in 2 days who needs teaching
1. High priority
2. Intermediate priority
3. Low priority
1.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:284
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
2.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:284
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
3.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:284
OBJ: Discuss ways to apply clinical care coordination skills in nursing practice.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 22: Ethics and Values
Chapter 22: Ethics and Values
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Four patients in labor all request epidural analgesia to manage their pain at the same time. Which
ethical principle is most compromised when only one nurse anesthetist is on call?
a.
Justice
b.
Fidelity
c.
Beneficence
d.
Nonmaleficence
ANS: A
Justice refers to fairness and is used frequently in discussion regarding access to health care
resources. Here the just distribution of resources, in this case pain management, cannot be justly
apportioned. Nonmaleficence refers to avoidance of harm; beneficence refers to taking positive
actions to help others. Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises. Each of these principles is
partially expressed in the question; however, justice is most comprised because not all laboring
patients have equal access to pain management owing to lack of personnel resources.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:293
OBJ: Discuss the role of ethics in professional nursing. TOP: Caring
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. The patient reports to the nurse of being afraid to speak up regarding a desire to end care for fear
of upsetting spouse and children. Which principle in the nursing code of ethics ensures that the
nurse will promote the patient’s cause?
a.
Advocacy
b.
Responsibility
c.
Confidentiality
d.
Accountability
ANS: A
Nurses advocate for patients when they support the patient’s cause. A nurse’s ability to adequately
advocate for a patient is based on the unique relationship that develops and the opportunity to better
understand the patient’s point of view. Responsibility refers to respecting one’s professional
obligations and following through on promises. Confidentiality deals with privacy issues, and
accountability refers to answering for one’s actions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:293
OBJ: Discuss the role of ethics in professional nursing. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
3. The patient’s son requests to view documentation in the medical record. What is the
nurse’s best response to this request?
a.
“I’ll be happy to get that for you.”
b.
“You are not allowed to look at it.”
c.
“You will need your mother’s permission.”
d.
“I cannot let you see the chart without a doctor’s order.”
ANS: C
The mother’s permission is needed. The nurse understands that sharing health information is
governed by HIPAA legislation, which defines rights and privileges of patients for protection of
privacy. Private health information cannot be shared without the patient’s specific permission. The
nurse cannot obtain the records without permission. The son can look at it after approval from the
patient. While talking to the physician or getting an order is appropriate, the patient still has to give
consent.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:293
OBJ:Discuss the role of ethics in professional nursing.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
4. When professionals work together to solve ethical dilemmas, nurses must examine their own
values. What is the best rationale for this step?
a.
So fact is separated from opinion
b.
So different perspectives are respected
c.
So judgmental attitudes can be provoked
d.
So the group identifies the one correct solution
ANS: B
Values are personal beliefs that influence behavior. To negotiate differences of value, it is important
to be clear about your own values: what you value, why, and how you respect your own values even
as you try to respect those of others whose values differ from yours. Ethical dilemmas are a problem
in that no one right solution exists. It is not to separate fact from opinion. Judgmental attitudes are
not to be used, much less provoked.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:294
OBJ: Discuss the role of values in the study of ethics. TOP: Planning
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. A nurse is experiencing an ethical dilemma with a patient. Which information indicates the nurse
has a correct understanding of the primary cause of ethical dilemmas?
a.
Unequal power
b.
Presence of conflicting values
c.
Judgmental perceptions of patients
d.
Poor communication with the patient
ANS: B
Ethical dilemmas almost always occur in the presence of conflicting values. While unequal power,
judgmental perceptions, and poor communication can contribute to the dilemma, these are not
causes of a dilemma. Without clarification of values, the nurse may not be able to distinguish fact
from opinion or value, and this can lead to judgmental attitudes.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:294
OBJ: Discuss the role of values in the study of ethics. TOP: Evaluation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. The nurse questions a health care provider’s decision to not tell the patient about a cancer
diagnosis. Which ethical principle is the nurse trying to uphold for the patient?
a.
Consequentialism
b.
Autonomy
c.
Fidelity
d.
Justice
ANS: B
The nurse is upholding autonomy. Autonomy refers to the freedom to make decisions free of
external control. Respect for patient autonomy refers to the commitment to include patients in
decisions about all aspects of care. Consequentialism is focused on the outcome and is a
philosophical approach. Justice refers to fairness and is most often used in discussions about
access to health care resources. Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:292
OBJ: Examine and clarify personal values. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
7. The nurse finds it difficult to care for a patient whose advance directive states that no
extraordinary resuscitation measures should be taken. Which step may help the nurse to find
resolution in this assignment?
a.
Scrutinize personal values.
b.
Call for an ethical committee consult.
c.
Decline the assignment on religious grounds.
d.
Convince the family to challenge the directive.
ANS: A
Clarifying values—your own, your patients’, your co-workers’—is an important and effective part of
ethical discourse. Calling for a consult, declining the assignment, and convincing the family to
challenge the patient’s directive are not ideal resolutions because they do not address the reason for
the nurse’s discomfort, which is the conflict between the nurse’s values and those of the patient. The
nurse should value the patient’s decisions over the nurse’s personal values.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:294
OBJ: Examine and clarify personal values. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. The nurse values autonomy above all other principles. Which patient assignment will the nurse
find most difficult to accept?
a.
Older-adult patient who requires dialysis
b.
Teenager in labor who requests epidural anesthesia
c.
Middle-aged father of three with an advance directive declining life support
d.
Family elder who is making the decisions for a young-adult female member
ANS: D
Autonomy refers to freedom from external control. A person who values autonomy highly may find it
difficult to accept situations where the patient is not the primary decision maker regarding his or her
care. A teenager requesting an epidural, a father with an advance directive, and an elderly patient
requiring dialysis all describe a patient or family who can make their own decisions and choices
regarding care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:292
OBJ: Examine and clarify personal values. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
9. A nurse must make an ethical decision concerning vulnerable patient populations. Which
philosophy of health care ethics would be particularly useful for this nurse?
a.
Teleology
b.
Deontology
c.
Utilitarianism
d.
Feminist ethics
ANS: D
Feminist ethics particularly focuses on the nature of relationships, especially those where there is a
power imbalance or a point of view that is ignored or invisible. Deontology refers to making decisions
or “right-making characteristics,” bioethics focuses on consensus building, while utilitarianism and
teleology speak to the greatest good for the greatest number.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:295
OBJ: Understand basic philosophies of health care ethics. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse agrees with regulations for mandatory immunizations of children. The nurse believes
that immunizations prevent diseases as well as prevent spread of the disease to others. Which
ethical framework is the nurse using?
a.
Deontology
b.
Ethics of care
c.
Utilitarianism
d.
Feminist ethics
ANS: C
Utilitarianism is a system of ethics that believes that value is determined by usefulness. This system
of ethics focuses on the outcome of the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Deontology
would not look to consequences of actions but on the “right-making characteristic” such as fidelity
and justice. The ethics of care emphasizes the role of feelings. Relationships, which are an
important component of feminist ethics, are not addressed in this case.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:295
OBJ: Understand basic philosophies of health care ethics. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
11. The nurse has become aware of missing narcotics in the patient care area. Which ethical
principle obligates the nurse to report the missing medications?
a.
Advocacy
b.
Responsibility
c.
Confidentiality
d.
Accountability
ANS: B
Responsibility refers to one’s willingness to respect and adhere to one’s professional obligations. It is
the nurse’s responsibility to report missing narcotics. Accountability refers to the ability to answer for
one’s actions. Advocacy refers to the support of a particular cause. The concept of confidentiality is
very important in health care and involves protecting patients’ personal health information.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:293
OBJ: Explain a nursing perspective in ethics. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
12. A young woman who is pregnant with a fetus exposed to multiple teratogens consents to have
her fetus undergo serial PUBS (percutaneous umbilical blood sampling) to examine how exposure
affects the fetus over time. Although these tests will not improve the fetus’s outcomes and will
expose it to some risks, the information gathered may help infants in the future. Which ethical
principle is at greatest risk?
a.
Fidelity
b.
Autonomy
c.
Beneficence
d.
Nonmaleficence
ANS: D
Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that focuses on avoidance of harm or hurt. Repeated PUBS
may expose the mother and fetus to some risks. Fidelity refers to the agreement to keep promises
(obtain serial PUBS). Autonomy refers to freedom from external control (mother consented), and
beneficence refers to taking positive actions to help others (may help infants in the future).
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:293
OBJ: Apply critical thinking to ethical dilemmas. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
13. A nurse is discussing quality of life issues with another colleague. Which topic will the nurse
acknowledge for increased attention paid to quality of life concerns?
a.
Health care disparities
b.
Aging of the population
c.
Abilities of disabled persons
d.
Health care financial reform
ANS: C
The population of disabled persons in the United States and elsewhere has reshaped the discussion
about quality of life (QOL). Health care disparities, an aging population, and health care reform are
components impacted by personal definitions of quality but are not the underlying reason why QOL
discussions have arisen.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:298
OBJ: Discuss contemporary ethical issues. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. Which action by the nurse indicates a safe and efficient use of social networks?
a.
Promotes support for a local health charity
b.
Posts a picture of a patient’s infected foot
c.
Vents about a patient problem at work
d.
Friends a patient
ANS: A
Social networks can be a supportive source of information about patient care or professional nursing
activities. Even if you post an image of a patient without any obvious identifiers, the nature of shared
media reposting can result in the image surfacing in a place where just the context of the image
provides clues for friends or family to identify the patient. The ANA and NCSBN states, “Effective
nurse-patient relationships are built on trust. Patients need to be confident that their most personal
information and their basic dignity will be protected by the nurse.” Becoming friends in online chat
rooms, Facebook, or other public sites can interfere with your ability to maintain a therapeutic
relationship.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:293
OBJ: Discuss contemporary ethical issues. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
15. The nurse is caring for a dying patient. Which intervention is considered futile?
a.
Giving pain medication for pain
b.
Providing oral care every 5 hours
c.
Administering the influenza vaccine
d.
Supporting lower extremities with pillows
ANS: C
Administering the influenza vaccine is futile. A vaccine is administered to prevent or lessen the
likelihood of contracting an infectious disease at some time in the future. The term futile refers to
something that is hopeless or serves no useful purpose. In health care discussions the term refers to
interventions unlikely to produce benefit for a patient. Care delivered to a patient at the end of life
that is focused on pain management, oral hygiene, and comfort measures is not futile.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:295 | 298
OBJ: Discuss contemporary ethical issues. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
16. During a severe respiratory epidemic, the local health care organizations decide to give health
care workers priority access to ventilators over other members of the community who also need that
resource. Which philosophy would give the strongest support for this decision?
a.
Deontology
b.
Utilitarianism
c.
Ethics of care
d.
Feminist ethics
ANS: B
Utilitarianism focuses on the greatest good for the most people; the organizations decide to ensure
that as many health care workers as possible will survive to care for other members of the
community. Deontology defines actions as right or wrong based on their “right-making
characteristics” such as fidelity to promises, truthfulness, and justice. Feminist ethics looks to the
nature of relationships to guide participants in making difficult decisions, especially relationships in
which power is unequal or in which a point of view has become ignored or invisible. The ethics of
care and feminist ethics are closely related, but ethics of care emphasizes the role of feelings.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:295
OBJ: Understand basic philosophies of health care ethics. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
17. A nurse is teaching a patient and family about quality of life. Which information should the nurse
include in the teaching session about quality of life?
a.
It is deeply social.
b.
It is hard to define.
c.
It is an observed measurement for most people.
d.
It is consistent and stable over the course of one’s lifetime.
ANS: B
Quality of life remains deeply individual (not social) and difficult to predict. Quality of life is not just a
measurable entity but a shared responsibility. Quality of life measures may take into account the age
of the patient, the patient’s ability to live independently, his or her ability to contribute to society in a
gainful way, and other nuanced measures of quality.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:298
OBJ: Discuss contemporary ethical issues. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
18. The nurse is caring for a patient supported with a ventilator who has been unresponsive since
arrival via ambulance 8 days ago. The patient has not been identified, and no family members have
been found. The nurse is concerned about the plan of care regarding maintenance or withdrawal of
life support measures. Place the steps the nurse will use to resolve this ethical dilemma in the
correct order.
1. The nurse identifies possible solutions or actions to resolve the dilemma.
2. The nurse reviews the medical record, including entries by all health care disciplines, to gather
information relevant to this patient’s situation.
3. Health care providers use negotiation to redefine the patient’s plan of care.
4. The nurse evaluates the plan and revises it with input from other health care providers as
necessary.
5. The nurse examines the issue to clarify opinions, values, and facts.
6. The nurse states the problem.
a.
6, 1, 2, 5, 4, 3
b.
5, 6, 2, 3, 4, 1
c.
1, 2, 5, 4, 3, 6
d.
2, 5, 6, 1, 3, 4
ANS: D
Step 1. Gather as much information as possible that is relevant to the case.
Step 2. Examine and determine your values about the issues.
Step 3. Verbalize the problem.
Step 4. Consider possible courses of action.
Step 5. Negotiate the outcome.
Step 6. Evaluate the action.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:296-297
OBJ: Apply critical thinking to ethical dilemmas. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is a member of the ethics committee. Which purposes will the nurse fulfill in this
committee? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Education
b.
Case consultation
c.
Purchasing power
d.
Direct patient care
e.
Policy recommendation
ANS: A, B, E
An ethics committee devoted to the teaching and processing of ethical issues and dilemmas exists in
most health care facilities. It is generally multidisciplinary and it serves several purposes: education,
policy recommendation, and case consultation. It does not have purchasing power or provide direct
patient care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:297
OBJ: Explain a nursing perspective in ethics. TOP: Caring
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 23: Legal Implications in Nursing
Practice
Chapter 23: Legal Implications in Nursing Practice
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A newly hired experienced nurse is preparing to change a patient’s abdominal dressing and hasn’t
done it before at this hospital. Which action by the nurse is best?
a.
Have another nurse do it so the correct method can be viewed.
b.
Change the dressing using the method taught in nursing school.
c.
Ask the patient how the dressing change has been recently done.
d.
Check the policy and procedure manual for the facility’s method.
ANS: D
The Joint Commission requires accredited hospitals to have written nursing policies and procedures.
These internal standards of care are specific and need to be accessible on all nursing units. For
example, a policy/procedure outlining the steps to follow when changing a dressing or administering
medication provides specific information about how nurses are to perform. The nurse being
observed may not be doing the procedure according to the facility’s policy or procedure. The
procedure taught in nursing school may not be consistent with the policy or procedure for this facility.
The patient is not responsible for maintaining the standards of practice. Patient input is important,
but it’s not what directs nursing practice.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:303
OBJ: List sources of standards of care for nurses. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
2. A new nurse notes that the health care unit keeps a listing of patient names in a closed book
behind the front desk of the nursing station so patients can be located easily. Which action
is most appropriate for the nurse to take?
Talk with the nurse manager about the listing being a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
a. (HIPAA).
b. Use the book as needed while keeping it away from individuals not involved in patient care.
c. Move the book to the upper ledge of the nursing station for easier access.
d. Ask the nurse manager to move the book to a more secluded area.
ANS: B
The book is located where only staff would have access so the nurse can use the book as needed.
The privacy section of the HIPAA provides standards regarding accountability in the health care
setting. These rules include patient rights to consent to the use and disclosure of their protected
health information, to inspect and copy their medical record, and to amend mistaken or incomplete
information. It is not the responsibility of the new nurse to move items used by others on the patient
unit. The listing is protected as long as it is used appropriately as needed to provide care. There is
no need to move the book to a more secluded area.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:306
OBJ: Describe the legal obligations and role of the nurse regarding federal and state laws that affect
health care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
3. A 17-year-old patient, dying of heart failure, wants to have organs removed for transplantation
after death. Which action by the nurse is correct?
a.
Instruct the patient to talk with parents about the desire to donate organs.
b.
Notify the health care provider about the patient’s desire to donate organs.
c.
Prepare the organ donation form for the patient to sign while still oriented.
d.
Contact the United Network for Organ Sharing after talking with the patient.
ANS: A
In this situation, the parents would need to sign the form because the teenager is under age 18. An
individual who is at least 18 may sign the form allowing organ donation upon death. The nurse
cannot allow the patient to sign the organ donation document because the patient is younger than
age 18. The health care provider will be notified about the patient’s wishes after the parents agree to
donate the organs. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) has a contract with the federal
government and sets policies and guidelines for the procurement of organs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:306
OBJ:Analyze legal aspects of nurse-patient, nurse-health care provider, nurse-nurse, and nurseemployer relationships.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
4. An obstetric nurse comes across an automobile accident. The driver seems to have a crushed
upper airway, and while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive, the nurse makes a cut in
the trachea and inserts a straw from a purse to provide an airway. The patient survives and has a
permanent problem with vocal cords, making it difficult to talk. Which statement is true regarding the
nurse’s performance?
a.
The nurse acted appropriately and saved the patient’s life.
b.
The nurse stayed within the guidelines of the Good Samaritan Law.
c.
The nurse took actions beyond those that are standard and appropriate.
d.
The nurse should have just stayed with the patient and waited for help.
ANS: C
An obstetric nurse would not have been trained in performing a tracheostomy (cut in the trachea),
and doing so would be beyond what the nurse has been trained or educated to do. If you perform a
procedure exceeding your scope of practice and for which you have no training, you are liable for
injury that may result from that act. You should only provide care that is consistent with your level of
expertise. The nurse did not act appropriately. The nurse is not protected by the Good Samaritan
Law because the nurse acted outside the scope of practice and training. The nurse should have
acted within what was trained and educated to do in this circumstance, not just stay with the patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:307
OBJ: Explain the legal concept of standard of care and informed consent.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
5. A nurse performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a 92-year-old with brittle bones and
breaks a rib during the procedure, which then punctures a lung. The patient recovers completely
without any residual problems and sues the nurse for pain and suffering and for malpractice. Which
key point will the prosecution attempt to prove against the nurse?
a.
The CPR procedure was done incorrectly.
b.
The patient would have died if nothing was done.
c.
The patient was resuscitated according to the policy.
d.
The older patient with brittle bones might sustain fractures when chest compressions are done.
ANS: A
Certain criteria are necessary to establish nursing malpractice. The prosecution would try to prove
that a breach of duty had occurred (CPR done incorrectly), which had caused injury. The defense
team, not the prosecution, would explain the correlation between brittle bones and rib fractures
during CPR and that the patient was resuscitated according to policy. In this situation, although harm
was caused, it was not because of failure of the nurse to perform a duty according to standards, the
way other nurses would have performed in the same situation. The fact that the patient sustained
injury as a result of age and physical status does not mean the nurse breached any duty to the
patient. The nurse would need to make sure the defense attorney knew that the cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) was done correctly. Without intervention, the patient most likely would not have
survived.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:304 | 309
OBJ: List the elements needed to establish negligence. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
6. A recent immigrant who does not speak English is alert and requires hospitalization. What is the
initial action that the nurse must take to enable informed consent to be obtained?
a.
Ask a family member to translate what the nurse is saying.
b.
Request an official interpreter to explain the terms of consent.
c.
Notify the nursing manager that the patient doesn’t speak English.
d.
Use hand gestures and medical equipment while explaining in English.
ANS: B
An official interpreter must be present to explain the terms of consent if a patient speaks only a
foreign language. A family member or acquaintance who speaks a patient’s language should not
interpret health information. Family members can tell those caring for the patient what the patient is
saying, but privacy regarding the patient’s condition, assessment, etc., must be protected. A nurse
can take care of requesting an interpreter, and the nurse manager is not needed. Using hand
gestures and medical equipment is inappropriate when communicating with a patient who does not
understand the language spoken. Certain hand gestures may be acceptable in one culture and not
appropriate in another. The medical equipment may be unknown and frightening to the patient, and
the patient still doesn’t understand what is being said.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:309
OBJ: Explain the legal concept of standard of care and informed consent.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
7. A pediatric oncology nurse floats to an orthopedic trauma unit. Which action should the nurse
manager of the orthopedic unit take to enable safe care to be given by this nurse?
a.
Provide a complete orientation to the functioning of the entire unit.
b.
Determine patient acuity and care the nurse can safely provide.
c.
Allow the nurse to choose which mealtime works best.
d.
Assign nursing assistive personnel to assist with care.
ANS: B
Supervisors are liable if they give staff nurses an assignment that they cannot safely handle. Nurses
who float must inform the supervisor of any lack of experience in caring for the types of patients on
the nursing unit. They should request and receive an orientation to the unit. A basic orientation is
needed, whereas a complete orientation of the functioning of the entire unit would take a period of
time that would exceed what the nurse has to spend on orientation. Allowing nurses to choose which
mealtime they would like is a nice gesture of thanks for the nurse, but it does not enable safe care.
Having nursing assistive personnel may help the nurse complete basic tasks such as hygiene and
turning, but it does not enable safe nursing care that the nurse and manager are ultimately
responsible for.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:311
OBJ:Analyze legal aspects of nurse-patient, nurse-health care provider, nurse-nurse, and nurseemployer relationships.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
8. While recovering from a severe illness, a hospitalized patient wants to change a living will, which
was signed 9 months ago. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
a.
“Check with your admitting health care provider whether a copy is on your chart.”
b.
“Let me check with someone here in the hospital who can assist you.”
c.
“You are not allowed to ever change a living will after signing it.”
d.
“Your living will can be changed only once each calendar year.”
ANS: B
As long as the patient is not declared legally incompetent or lacks the capacity to make decisions,
living wills can be changed. It is the nurse’s responsibility to find an appropriate person in the facility
to assist the patient. Checking with the health care provider about the presence of a living will on the
chart has nothing to do with the patient’s desire to change the living will. The question states that the
patient wants to change a living will. A living will can be changed whenever the patient decides to
change it, as long as the patient is competent.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:305
OBJ:Describe the legal obligations and role of the nurse regarding federal and state laws that affect
health care.TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Management of Care
9. A home health nurse notices that a patient’s preschool children are often playing on the sidewalk
and in the street unsupervised and repeatedly takes them back to the home and talks with the
patient, but the situation continues. Which immediate action by the nurse is mandated by law?
a.
Contact the appropriate community child protection facility.
b.
Tell the parents that the authorities will be contacted shortly.
c.
Take pictures of the children to support the overt child abuse.
d.
Discuss with both parents about the safety needs of their children.
ANS: A
The nurse has a duty to report this situation to protect the children. Any health care professional who
does not report suspected child abuse or neglect may be liable for civil or criminal legal action.
Talking with both parents is not mandated by law. There is no obligation to tell the parents that they
will be reported to authorities. There is no obligation for the nurse to take pictures of the children.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:307
OBJ: Describe the legal obligations and role of the nurse regarding federal and state laws that affect
health care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
10. A confused patient with a urinary catheter, nasogastric tube, and intravenous line keeps touching
these needed items for care. The nurse has tried to explain to the patient that these lines should not
be touched, but the patient continues. Which is the best action by the nurse at this time?
a.
Apply restraints loosely on the patient’s dominant wrist.
b.
Notify the health care provider that restraints are needed immediately.
c.
Try other approaches to prevent the patient from touching these care items.
d.
Allow the patient to pull out lines to prove that the patient needs to be restrained.
ANS: C
Restraints can be used when less restrictive interventions are not successful. The nurse must try
other approaches than just telling. The situation states that the patient is touching the items, not
trying to pull them out. At this time, the patient’s well-being is not at risk so restraints cannot be used
at this time nor does the health care provider need to be notified. Allowing the patient to pull out any
of these items to prove the patient needs to be restrained is not acceptable.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:306-307
OBJ: Describe the legal obligations and role of the nurse regarding federal and state laws that affect
health care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
11. A patient with sepsis as a result of long-term leukemia dies 25 hours after admission to the
hospital. A full code was conducted without success. The patient had a urinary catheter, an
intravenous line, an oxygen cannula, and a nasogastric tube. Which question is the priority for the
nurse to ask the family before beginning postmortem care?
a.
“Is an autopsy going to be done?”
b.
“Which funeral home do you want to use?”
c.
“Would you like to assist in bathing your loved one?”
d.
“Do you want me to remove the lines and tubes before you see your loved one?”
ANS: A
An autopsy or postmortem examination may be requested by the patient or the patient’s family, as
part of an institutional policy, or if required by law. Because the patient’s death occurred as a result
of long-term illness and not under suspicious circumstances, whether to conduct a postmortem
examination would be decided by the family, and consent would have to be obtained from the family.
The nurse needs to know if the lines can be removed or not depending upon the family’s response to
the question. Asking about bathing the deceased patient is a valid question but is not a priority,
because the nurse needs to know the protocol to follow if an autopsy is to be done. Finding out
which funeral home the deceased patient is to be transported to is valid but is not a priority, because
other actions must be taken before the deceased patient is transported from the hospital. Asking
about removing the lines may not be an option depending on the response of the family to an
autopsy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:307-308
OBJ:Describe the legal obligations and role of the nurse regarding federal and state laws that affect
health care.TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Management of Care
12. Conjoined twins are in the neonatal department of the community hospital until transfer to the
closest medical center. A photographer from the local newspaper gets off the elevator on the
neonatal floor and wants to take pictures of the infants. Which initial action should the nurse take?
a.
Escort the cameraman to the neonatal unit while a few pictures are taken quietly.
b.
Tell the cameraman where the hospital’s public relations department is located.
c.
Have the cameraman wait for permission from the health care provider.
d.
Ask the cameraman how the pictures are to be used in the newspaper.
ANS: B
In some cases, information about a scientific discovery or a major medical breakthrough or an
unusual situation is newsworthy. In this case, anyone seeking information needs to contact the
hospital’s public relations department to ensure that invasion of privacy does not occur. It is not the
nurse’s responsibility to decide independently the legality of disclosing information. The nurse does
not have the right to allow the cameraman access to the neonatal unit. This would constitute
invasion of privacy. The health care provider has no responsibility regarding this situation and cannot
allow the cameraman on the unit. It is not the nurse’s responsibility to find out how the pictures are to
be used. This is a task for the public relations department.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:308
OBJ: Describe the legal obligations and role of the nurse regarding federal and state laws that affect
health care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
13. A nursing student has been written up several times for being late with providing patient care and
for omitting aspects of patient care and not knowing basic procedures that were taught in the skills
course one term earlier. The nursing student says, “I don’t understand what the big deal is. As my
instructor, you are there to protect me and make sure I don’t make mistakes.” What is
the best response from the nursing instructor?
a.
“You are practicing under the license of the hospital’s insurance.”
b.
“You are expected to perform at the level of a professional nurse.”
c.
“You are expected to perform at the level of a prudent nursing student.”
d.
“You are practicing under the license of the nurse assigned to the patient.”
ANS: B
Although nursing students are not employees of the health care facility where they are having their
clinical experience, they are expected to perform as professional nurses would in providing safe
patient care. Different levels of standards do not apply. No standard is used for nursing students
other than that they must meet the standards of a professional nurse. Student nurses do not practice
under anybody’s license; nursing students are liable if their actions exceed their scope of practice or
cause harm to patients.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:310
OBJ: Analyze legal aspects of nurse-patient, nurse-health care provider, nurse-nurse, and nurseemployer relationships. TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC:Management of Care
14. A nurse works full time on the oncology unit at the hospital and works part time on weekends
giving immunizations at the local pharmacy. While giving an injection on a weekend, the nurse
caused injury to the patient’s arm and is now being sued. How will the hospital’s malpractice
insurance provide coverage for this nurse?
a. It will provide coverage as long as the nurse followed all procedures, protocols, and policies correctly.
b. The hospital’s malpractice insurance covers this nurse only during the time the nurse is working at the hospital.
c. As long as the nurse has never been sued before this incident, the hospital’s malpractice insurance will cover the nurse.
d. The hospital’s malpractice insurance will provide approximately 50% of the coverage the nurse will need.
ANS: B
Malpractice insurance provided by the employing institution covers nurses only while they are
working within the scope of their employment. It is always wise to find out if malpractice insurance is
provided by a secondary place of employment, in this case, the pharmacy, or the nurse should carry
an individual malpractice policy to cover situations such as this. The hospital policy would not
provide coverage even if the nurse followed all procedures and policies or had never been sued. It
will not provide 50% of coverage.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:311
OBJ:Analyze legal aspects of nurse-patient, nurse-health care provider, nurse-nurse, and nurseemployer relationships.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
15. A female nursing student in the final term of nursing school is overheard by a nursing faculty
member telling another student that she got to insert a nasogastric tube in the emergency
department while working as a nursing assistant. Which advice is best for the nursing faculty
member to give to the nursing student?
a. “Just be careful when you are doing new procedures and make sure you are following directions by the nurse.”
b. “Review your procedures before you go to work, so you will be prepared to do them if you have a chance.”
c. “The nurse should not have allowed you to insert the nasogastric tube because something bad could have happened.”
d. “You are not allowed to perform any procedures other than those in your job description even with the nurse’s permission.”
ANS: D
When nursing students work as nursing assistants or nurse’s aides when not attending classes, they
should not perform tasks that do not appear in a job description for a nurse’s aide or assistant. The
nursing student should always follow the directions of the nurse, unless doing so violates the
institution’s guidelines or job description under which the nursing student was hired, such as
inserting a nasogastric tube or giving an intramuscular medication. The nursing student should be
able to safely complete the procedures delegated as a nursing assistant, and reviewing those not
done recently is a good idea, but it has nothing to do with the situation. The focus of the discussion
between the nursing faculty member and the nursing student should be on following the job
description under which the nursing student is working.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:310-311
OBJ:List sources of standards of care for nurses.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. The nurse calculates the medication dose for an infant on the pediatric unit and determines that
the dose is twice what it should be based upon the drug book’s information. The pediatrician is
contacted and says to administer the medication as ordered. Which actions should the nurse take
next? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Notify the nursing supervisor.
b.
Administer the medication as ordered.
c.
Give the amount listed in the drug book.
d.
Ask the mother to give the drug to her child.
e.
Check the chain of command policy for such situations.
ANS: A, E
If the health care provider confirms an order and the nurse still believes that it is inappropriate, the
nurse should inform the supervising nurse and follow the established chain of command. Nurses
follow health care providers’ orders unless they believe the orders are in error or may harm patients.
Therefore, the nurse needs to assess all orders. If an order seems to be erroneous or harmful,
further clarification from the health care provider is necessary. The supervising nurse should be able
to help resolve the questionable order, but only the health care provider who wrote the order or a
health care provider covering for the one who wrote the order can change the order. Harm to the
infant could occur if the medication is given as ordered. The nurse cannot change an order by giving
the amount listed in the drug book. Asking the mother to give the drug is inappropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:311
OBJ:Analyze legal aspects of nurse-patient, nurse-health care provider, nurse-nurse, and nurseemployer relationships.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
2. The nurse hears a health care provider say to the charge nurse that a certain nurse cannot care
for patients because the nurse is stupid and won’t follow orders. The health care provider also writes
in the patient’s medical records that the same nurse, by name, is not to care for any of the patients
because of incompetence. Which torts has the health care provider committed? (Select all that
apply.)
a.
Libel
b.
Slander
c.
Assault
d.
Battery
e.
Invasion of privacy
ANS: A, B
Slander occurred when the health care provider spoke falsely about the nurse, and libel occurred
when the health care provider wrote false information in the chart. Both of these situations could
cause problems for the nurse’s reputation. Invasion of privacy is the release of a patient’s medical
information to an unauthorized person such as a member of the press, the patient’s employer, or the
patient’s family. Assault is any action that places a person in reasonable fear of harmful, imminent,
or unwelcome contact. No actual contact is required for an assault to occur. Battery is any intentional
touching without consent.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze legal aspects of nurse-patient, nurse-health care provider, nurse-nurse, and nurseemployer relationships. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
3. A patient has approximately 6 months to live and asks about a do not resuscitate (DNR) order.
Which statements by the nurse give the patient correct information? (Select all that apply.)
a. “You will be resuscitated unless there is a DNR order in the chart.”
“If you want certain procedures or actions taken or not taken, and you might not be able to tell anyone at the time, you need
b. to complete documents ahead of time that give your health care provider this information.”
c. “You will be resuscitated at any time to allow you the longest length of survival.”
d. “If you decide you want a DNR order, you will need to talk to your health care provider.”
e. “If you travel to another state, your living will should cover your wishes.”
ANS: A, B, D
Health care providers perform CPR on an appropriate patient unless a do not resuscitate (DNR)
order has been placed in the patient’s chart. The statutes assume that all patients will be
resuscitated unless a written DNR order is found in the chart. Legally competent adult patients can
consent to a DNR order verbally or in writing after receiving appropriate information from the health
care provider. A health care proxy or durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) is a legal
document that designates a person or persons of one’s choosing to make health care decisions
when the patient is no longer able to make decisions on his or her own behalf. This agent makes
health care treatment decisions based on the patient’s wishes, like a DNR. Resuscitation is
performed anytime (not just for the longest length of survival) unless a DNR is written in the chart.
Differences among the states have been noted regarding advance directives, so the patient should
check state laws to see if a state will honor an advance directive that was originated in another state.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:305-306
OBJ: Describe the nurse’s role regarding a “do not resuscitate” (DNR) order.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse is teaching the staff about professional negligence or malpractice. Which criteria to
establish negligence will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Injury did not occur.
b.
That duty was breached.
c.
Nurse carried out the duty.
d.
Duty of care was owed to the patient.
e.
Patient understands benefits and risks of a procedure.
ANS: B, D
Certain criteria are necessary to establish nursing malpractice: (1) the nurse (defendant) owed a
duty of care to the patient (plaintiff), (2) the nurse did not carry out or breached that duty, (3) the
patient was injured, and (4) the nurse’s failure to carry out the duty caused the injury. If an injury did
not occur and the nurse carried out the duty, no malpractice occurred. When a patient understands
benefits and risks of the procedure, that is informed consent, not malpractice.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:304 | 309
OBJ: List the elements needed to establish negligence. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is discussing nursing actions that can lead to breaches of nursing practice. Match the
example to the term it describes.
a.
Nurse posts about patient’s loud and unruly family members.
b.
Nurse immediately applies restraints to make patient stay in bed.
c.
Nurse leaves bed in high position, causing patient to fall and break hip.
d.
Nurse states that she will wrap a bandage over patient’s mouth if he won’t be quiet.
e.
Nurse applies abdominal bandage after refusal.
f.
Nurse gets angry at patient and nurse leaves the hospital.
1. Assault
2. Battery
3. Abandonment
4. False imprisonment
5. Invasion of privacy
6. Malpractice
1.ANS:DDIF:Apply (application)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze nursing actions most often associated in a breach of nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
2.ANS:EDIF:Apply (application)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze nursing actions most often associated in a breach of nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
3.ANS:FDIF:Apply (application)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze nursing actions most often associated in a breach of nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
4.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze nursing actions most often associated in a breach of nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
5.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze nursing actions most often associated in a breach of nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
6.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:308-309
OBJ: Analyze nursing actions most often associated in a breach of nursing practice.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 24: Communication
Chapter 24: Communication
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which types of nurses make the best communicators with patients?
a.
Those who learn effective psychomotor skills
b.
Those who develop critical thinking skills
c.
Those who like different kinds of people
d.
Those who maintain perceptual biases
ANS: B
Nurses who develop critical thinking skills make the best communicators. Just liking people does not
make an effective communicator because it is important to apply critical thinking standards to ensure
sound effective communication. Just learning psychomotor skills does not ensure that the nurse will
use those techniques, and communication involves more than psychomotor skills. Critical thinking
helps the nurse overcome perceptual biases or human tendencies that interfere with accurately
perceiving and interpreting messages from others. Nurses who maintain perceptual biases do not
make good communicators.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:317
OBJ: Identify ways to apply critical thinking to the communication process.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse believes that the nurse-patient relationship is a partnership and that both are equal
participants. Which term should the nurse use to describe this belief?
a.
Critical thinking
b.
Authentic
c.
Mutuality
d.
Attend
ANS: C
Effective interpersonal communication requires a sense of mutuality, a belief that the nurse-patient
relationship is a partnership and that both are equal participants. Critical thinking in nursing, based
on established standards of nursing care and ethical standards, promotes effective communication
and uses standards such as humility, self-confidence, independent attitude, and fairness. To be
authentic (one’s self) and to respond appropriately to the other person are important for
interpersonal relationships but do not mean mutuality. Attending is giving all of your attention to the
patient.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:317
OBJ: Incorporate features of a helping relationship when interacting with patients.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
3. A nurse wants to present information about flu immunizations to the older adults in the community.
Which type of communication should the nurse use?
a.
Public
b.
Small group
c.
Interpersonal
d.
Intrapersonal
ANS: A
Public communication is interaction with an audience. Nurses have opportunities to speak with
groups of consumers about health-related topics, present scholarly work to colleagues at
conferences, or lead classroom discussions with peers or students. When nurses work on
committees or participate in patient care conferences, they use a small group communication
process. Interpersonal communication is one-on-one interaction between a nurse and another
person that often occurs face to face. Intrapersonal communication is a powerful form of
communication that you use as a professional nurse. This level of communication is also called selftalk.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:318
OBJ:Utilize the five levels of communication with patients.
TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. A nurse is using therapeutic communication with a patient. Which technique will the nurse use to
ensure effective communication?
a.
Interpersonal communication to change negative self-talk to positive self-talk
b.
Small group communication to present information to an audience
c.
Electronic communication to assess a patient in another city
d.
Intrapersonal communication to build strong teams
ANS: C
Electronic communication is the use of technology to create ongoing relationships with patients and
their health care team. Intrapersonal communication is self-talk. Interpersonal communication is oneon-one interaction between a nurse and another person that often occurs face to face. Public
communication is used to present information to an audience. Small group communication is
interaction that occurs when a small number of persons meet. When nurses work on committees or
participate in patient care conferences, they use a small group communication process.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:319
OBJ:Utilize the five levels of communication with patients.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
5. A nurse is standing beside the patient’s bed.
Nurse: How are you doing?
Patient: I don’t feel good.
Which element will the nurse identify as feedback?
a.
Nurse
b.
Patient
c.
How are you doing?
d.
I don’t feel good.
ANS: D
“I don’t feel good” is the feedback because the feedback is the message the receiver returns. The
sender is the person who encodes and delivers the message, and the receiver is the person who
receives and decodes the message. The nurse is the sender. The patient is the receiver. “How are
you doing?” is the message.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:319-320
OBJ: Describe features of the circular transactional communication process.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A nurse is sitting at the patient’s bedside taking a nursing history. Which zone of personal space is
the nurse using?
a.
Socio-consultative
b.
Personal
c.
Intimate
d.
Public
ANS: B
Personal space is 18 inches to 4 feet and involves things such as sitting at a patient’s bedside,
taking a patient’s nursing history, or teaching an individual patient. Intimate space is 0 to 18 inches
and involves things such as performing a physical assessment, bathing, grooming, dressing,
feeding, and toileting a patient. The socio-consultative zone is 9 to 12 feet and involves things such
as giving directions to visitors in the hallway and giving verbal report to a group of nurses. The public
zone is 12 feet and greater and involves things such as speaking at a community forum, testifying at
a legislative hearing, or lecturing.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:322
OBJ: Identify a nurse’s communication approaches within the four phases of a nurse-patient helping
relationship. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A smiling patient angrily states, “I will not cough and deep breathe.” How will the nurse interpret
this finding?
a.
The patient’s denotative meaning is wrong.
b.
The patient’s personal space was violated.
c.
The patient’s affect is inappropriate.
d.
The patient’s vocabulary is poor.
ANS: C
An inappropriate affect is a facial expression that does not match the content of a verbal message
(e.g., smiling when describing a sad situation). The patient is smiling but is angry, which indicates an
inappropriate affect. The patient’s personal space was not violated. The patient’s vocabulary is not
poor. Individuals who use a common language share denotative meaning: baseball has the same
meaning for everyone who speaks English, but code denotes cardiac arrest primarily to health care
providers. The patient’s denotative meaning is correct for cough and deep breathe.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:321
OBJ:Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. The nurse asks a patient where the pain is, and the patient responds by pointing to the area of
pain. Which form of communication did the patient use?
a.
Verbal
b.
Nonverbal
c.
Intonation
d.
Vocabulary
ANS: B
The patient gestured (pointed), which is a type of nonverbal communication. Gestures emphasize,
punctuate, and clarify the spoken word. Pointing to an area of pain is sometimes more accurate than
describing its location. Verbal is the spoken word or message. Intonation or tone of voice
dramatically affects the meaning of a message. Vocabulary consists of words used for verbal
communication.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:320-321
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
9. A patient has been admitted to the hospital numerous times. The nurse asks the patient to share a
personal story about the care that has been received. Which interaction is the nurse using?
a.
Nonjudgmental
b.
Socializing
c.
Narrative
d.
SBAR
ANS: C
In a therapeutic relationship, nurses often encourage patients to share personal stories. Sharing
stories is called narrative interaction. Socializing is an important initial component of interpersonal
communication. It helps people get to know one another and relax. It is easy, superficial, and not
deeply personal. Nonjudgmental acceptance of the patient is an important characteristic of the
relationship. Acceptance conveys a willingness to hear a message or acknowledge feelings; it is not
a technique that involves personal stories. SBAR is a popular communication tool that helps
standardize communication among health care providers. SBAR stands for Situation, Background,
Assessment, and Recommendation.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:323
OBJ: Incorporate features of a helping relationship when interacting with patients.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. Before meeting the patient, a nurse talks to other caregivers about the patient. Which phase of
the helping relationship is the nurse in with this patient?
a.
Preinteraction
b.
Orientation
c.
Working
d.
Termination
ANS: A
The time before the nurse meets the patient is called the preinteraction phase. This phase can
involve things such as reviewing available data, including the medical and nursing history, talking to
other caregivers who have information about the patient, or anticipating health concerns or issues
that can arise. The orientation phase occurs when the nurse and the patient meet and get to know
one another. This phase can involve things such as setting the tone for the relationship by adopting
a warm, empathetic, caring manner. The working phase occurs when the nurse and the patient work
together to solve problems and accomplish goals. The termination phase occurs during the ending of
the relationship. This phase can involve things such as reminding the patient that termination is near.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:322
OBJ:Identify a nurse’s communication approaches within the four phases of a nurse-patient helping
relationship.TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
11. During the initial home visit, a home health nurse lets the patient know that the visits are
expected to end in about a month. Which phase of the helping relationship is the nurse in with this
patient?
a.
Preinteraction
b.
Orientation
c.
Working
d.
Termination
ANS: B
Letting the patient know when to expect the relationship to be terminated occurs in the orientation
phase. Preinteraction occurs before the nurse meets the patient. Working occurs when the nurse
and the patient work together to solve problems and accomplish goals. Termination occurs during
the ending of the relationship.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:322
OBJ:Identify a nurse’s communication approaches within the four phases of a nurse-patient helping
relationship.TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
12. A nurse and a patient work on strategies to reduce weight. Which phase of the helping
relationship is the nurse in with this patient?
a.
Preinteraction
b.
Orientation
c.
Working
d.
Termination
ANS: C
The working phase occurs when the nurse and the patient work together to solve problems and
accomplish goals. Preinteraction occurs before the nurse meets the patient. Orientation occurs when
the nurse and the patient meet and get to know each other. Termination occurs during the ending of
the relationship.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:322
OBJ:Identify a nurse’s communication approaches within the four phases of a nurse-patient helping
relationship.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. A nurse uses SBAR when providing a hands-off report to the oncoming shift. What is the
rationale for the nurse’s action?
a.
To promote autonomy
b.
To use common courtesy
c.
To establish trustworthiness
d.
To standardize communication
ANS: D
SBAR is a popular communication tool that helps standardize communication among health care
providers. Common courtesy is part of professional communication but is not the purpose of SBAR.
Being trustworthy means helping others without hesitation. Autonomy is being self-directed and
independent in accomplishing goals and advocating for others.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:323
OBJ: Identify desired outcomes of nurse–health care team member relationships.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
14. A patient was admitted 2 days ago with pneumonia and a history of angina. The patient is now
having chest pain with a pulse rate of 108. Which piece of data will the nurse use for “B” when using
SBAR?
a.
Having chest pain
b.
Pulse rate of 108
c.
History of angina
d.
Oxygen is needed
ANS: C
The B in SBAR stands for background information. The background information in this situation is
the history of angina. Having chest pain is the Situation (S). Pulse rate of 108 is the Assessment (A).
Oxygen is needed is the Recommendation (R).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:323
OBJ: Identify desired outcomes of nurse–health care team member relationships.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
15. A patient just received a diagnosis of cancer. Which statement by the nurse demonstrates
empathy?
a.
“Tomorrow will be better.”
b.
“This must be hard news to hear.”
c.
“What’s your biggest fear about this diagnosis?”
d.
“I believe you can overcome this because I’ve seen how strong you are.”
ANS: B
“This must be hard” is an example of empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and accept
another person’s reality, accurately perceive feelings, and communicate this understanding to the
other. An example of false reassurance is “Tomorrow will be better.” “I believe you can overcome
this” is an example of sharing hope. “What is your biggest fear?” is an open-ended question that
allows patients to take the conversational lead and introduces pertinent information about a topic.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:328
OBJ: Identify opportunities to improve communication with patients while giving care.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
16. A nurse is taking a history on a patient who cannot speak English. Which action will the nurse
take?
a.
Obtain an interpreter.
b.
Refer to a speech therapist.
c.
Let a close family member talk.
d.
Find a mental health nurse specialist.
ANS: A
Interpreters are often necessary for patients who speak a foreign language. Using a family member
can lead to legal issues, speech therapists help patients with aphasia, and mental health nurse
specialists help angry or highly anxious patients to communicate more effectively.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:320 | 326 | 332
OBJ: Implement nursing care measures for patients with special communication needs.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
17. A nurse is using SOLER to facilitate active listening. Which technique should the nurse use for
R?
a.
Relax
b.
Respect
c.
Reminisce
d.
Reassure
ANS: A
In SOLER, the R stands for relax. It is important to communicate a sense of being relaxed and
comfortable with the patient. Active listening enhances trust because the nurse communicates
acceptance and respect for the patient, but it is not the R in SOLER. Reminisce is a therapeutic
communication technique, especially when used with the elderly. Reassuring can be therapeutic if
the nurse reassures patients that there are many kinds of hope and that meaning and personal
growth can come from illness experiences. However, false reassurance can block communication.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:327-328
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
18. An older-adult patient is wearing a hearing aid. Which technique should the nurse use to
facilitate communication?
a.
Chew gum.
b.
Turn off the television.
c.
Speak clearly and loudly.
d.
Use at least 14-point print.
ANS: B
Turning off the television will facilitate communication. Patients who are hearing impaired benefit
when the following techniques are used: check for hearing aids and glasses, reduce environmental
noise, get the patient’s attention before speaking, do not chew gum, and speak at normal volume—
do not shout. Using at least 14-point print is for sight/visually impaired, not hearing impaired.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:326 | 332
OBJ:Engage in effective communication techniques for older patients.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
19. When making rounds, the nurse finds a patient who is not able to sleep because of surgery in
the morning. Which therapeutic response is most appropriate?
a.
“You will be okay. Your surgeon will talk to you in the morning.”
b.
“Why can’t you sleep? You have the best surgeon in the hospital.”
c.
“Don’t worry. The surgeon ordered a sleeping pill to help you sleep.”
d.
“It must be difficult not to know what the surgeon will find. What can I do to help?”
ANS: D
“It must be difficult not to know what the surgeon will find. What can I do to help?” is using
therapeutic communication techniques of empathy and asking relevant questions. False
reassurances (“You will be okay” and “Don’t worry”) tend to block communication. Patients
frequently interpret “why” questions as accusations or think the nurse knows the reason and is
simply testing them.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:328-329
OBJ:Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
20. Which situation will cause the nurse to intervene and follow up on the nursing assistive
personnel’s (NAP) behavior?
a.
The nursing assistive personnel is calling the older-adult patient “honey.”
b.
The nursing assistive personnel is facing the older-adult patient when talking.
c.
The nursing assistive personnel cleans the older-adult patient’s glasses gently.
d.
The nursing assistive personnel allows time for the older-adult patient to respond.
ANS: A
The nurse needs to intervene to correct the use of “honey.” Avoid terms of endearment such as
“honey,” “dear,” “grandma,” or “sweetheart.” Communicate with older adults on an adult level, and
avoid patronizing or speaking in a condescending manner. Facing an older-adult patient, making
sure the older adult has clean glasses, and allowing time to respond facilitate communication with
older-adult patients and should be encouraged, not stopped.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:324
OBJ:Engage in effective communication techniques for older patients.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
21. A confused older-adult patient is wearing thick glasses and a hearing aid. Which intervention is
the priority to facilitate communication?
a.
Focus on tasks to be completed.
b.
Allow time for the patient to respond.
c.
Limit conversations with the patient.
d.
Use gestures and other nonverbal cues.
ANS: B
Allowing time for patients to respond will facilitate communication, especially for a confused, older
patient. Focusing on tasks to be completed and limiting conversations do not facilitate
communication; in fact, they block communication. Using gestures and other nonverbal cues is not
effective for visually impaired (thick glasses) patients or for patients who are confused.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:326 | 332
OBJ:Engage in effective communication techniques for older patients.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
22. The staff is having a hard time getting an older-adult patient to communicate. Which technique
should the nurse suggest the staff use?
a.
Try changing topics often.
b.
Allow the patient to reminisce.
c.
Ask the patient for explanations.
d.
Involve only the patient in conversations.
ANS: B
Encouraging older adults to share life stories and reminisce about the past has a therapeutic effect
and increases their sense of well-being. Avoid sudden shifts from subject to subject. It is helpful to
include the patient’s family and friends and to become familiar with the patient’s favorite topics for
conversation. Asking for explanations is a nontherapeutic technique.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:331
OBJ:Engage in effective communication techniques for older patients.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
23. A nurse is implementing nursing care measures for patients’ special communication needs.
Which patient will need the most nursing care measures?
a.
The patient who is oriented, pain free, and blind
b.
The patient who is alert, hungry, and has strong self-esteem
c.
The patient who is cooperative, depressed, and hard of hearing
d.
The patient who is dyspneic, anxious, and has a tracheostomy
ANS: D
Facial trauma, laryngeal cancer, or endotracheal intubation often prevents movement of air past
vocal cords or mobility of the tongue, resulting in inability to articulate words. An extremely
breathless person needs to use oxygen to breathe rather than speak. Persons with high anxiety are
sometimes unable to perceive environmental stimuli or hear explanations. People who are alert,
have strong self-esteem, and are cooperative and pain free do not cause communication concerns.
Although hunger, blindness, and difficulty hearing can cause communication concerns, dyspnea,
tracheostomy, and anxiety all contribute to communication concerns.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:325 | 331
OBJ: Implement nursing care measures for patients with special communication needs.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
24. A patient is aphasic, and the nurse notices that the patient’s hands shake intermittently. Which
nursing action is most appropriate to facilitate communication?
a.
Use a picture board.
b.
Use pen and paper.
c.
Use an interpreter.
d.
Use a hearing aid.
ANS: A
Using a pen and paper can be frustrating for a nonverbal (aphasic) patient whose handwriting is
shaky; the nurse can revise the care plan to include use of a picture board instead. An interpreter is
used for a patient who speaks a foreign language. A hearing aid is used for the hard of hearing, not
for an aphasic patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:331-332
OBJ: Offer alternative communication devices when appropriate to promote communication with
patients who have impaired communication. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
25. Which behavior indicates the nurse is using a process recording correctly to enhance
communication with patients?
a.
Shows sympathy appropriately
b.
Uses automatic responses fluently
c.
Demonstrates passive remarks accurately
d.
Self-examines personal communication skills
ANS: D
Analysis of a process recording enables a nurse to evaluate the following: examine whether nursing
responses blocked or facilitated the patient’s efforts to communicate. Sympathy is concern, sorrow,
or pity felt for the patient and is nontherapeutic. Clichés and stereotyped remarks are automatic
responses that communicate the nurse is not taking concerns seriously or responding thoughtfully.
Passive responses serve to avoid conflict or to sidestep issues.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:331
OBJ: Identify opportunities to improve communication with patients while giving care.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
26. A patient says, “You are the worst nurse I have ever had.” Which response by the nurse
is most assertive?
a.
“I think you’ve had a hard day.”
b.
“I feel uncomfortable hearing that statement.”
c.
“I don’t think you should say things like that. It is not right.”
d.
“I have been checking on you regularly. How can you say that?”
ANS: B
Assertive responses contain “I” messages such as “I want,” “I need,” “I think,” or “I feel.” While all of
these start with “I,” the only one that is the most assertive is “I feel uncomfortable hearing that
statement.” An assertive nurse communicates self-assurance; communicates feelings; takes
responsibility for choices; and is respectful of others’ feelings, ideas, and choices. “I think you’ve had
a hard day” is not addressing the problem. Arguing (“How can you say that?”) is not assertive or
therapeutic. Showing disapproval (using words like right) is not assertive or therapeutic.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:325
OBJ:Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which behaviors indicate the nurse is using critical thinking standards when communicating with
patients? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Instills faith
b.
Uses humility
c.
Portrays self-confidence
d.
Exhibits supportiveness
e.
Demonstrates independent attitude
ANS: B, C, E
A self-confident attitude is important because the nurse who conveys confidence and comfort while
communicating more readily establishes an interpersonal helping-trusting relationship. In addition,
an independent attitude encourages the nurse to communicate with colleagues and share ideas
about nursing interventions. An attitude of humility is necessary to recognize and communicate the
need for more information before making a decision. Faith and supportiveness are attributes of
caring, not critical thinking standards.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:317
OBJ: Identify ways to apply critical thinking to the communication process.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is implementing nursing care measures for patients with challenging communication
issues. Which types of patients will need these nursing care measures? (Select all that apply.)
a.
A child who is developmentally delayed
b.
An older-adult patient who is demanding
c.
A female patient who is outgoing and flirty
d.
A male patient who is cooperative with treatments
e.
An older-adult patient who can clearly see small print
f.
A teenager frightened by the prospect of impending surgery
ANS: A, B, C, F
Challenging communication situations include patients who are flirtatious, demanding, frightened, or
developmentally delayed. A child who has received little environmental stimulation possibly is behind
in language development, thus making communication more challenging. Patients who are
cooperative and have good eyesight (see small print) do not cause challenging communication
situations.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:318
OBJ: Implement nursing care measures for patients with special communication needs.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is using AIDET to communicate with patients and families. Match the letters of the acronym
to the behavior a nurse will use.
a.
Nurse describes procedures and tests.
b.
Nurse lets the patient know how long the procedure will last.
c.
Nurse recognizes the person with a positive attitude.
d.
Nurse thanks the patient.
e.
Nurse tells the patient “I am an RN and will be managing your care.”
1.A
2.I
3.D
4.E
5.T
1.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:325
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
2.ANS:EDIF:Apply (application)REF:325
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
3.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:325
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
4.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:325
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
5.ANS:DDIF:Apply (application)REF:325
OBJ: Demonstrate qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques of professional
communication while interacting with patients. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 25: Patient Education
Chapter 25: Patient Education
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is teaching a patient’s family member about permanent tube feedings at home. Which
purpose of patient education is the nurse meeting?
a.
Health promotion
b.
Illness prevention
c.
Restoration of health
d.
Coping with impaired functions
ANS: D
Teach family members to help the patient with health care management (e.g., giving medications
through gastric tubes and doing passive range-of-motion exercises) when coping with impaired
functions. Not all patients fully recover from illness or injury. Many have to learn to cope with
permanent health alterations. Health promotion involves healthy people staying healthy, while illness
prevention is prevention of diseases. Restoration of health occurs if the teaching is about a
temporary tube feeding, not a permanent tube feeding.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:337
OBJ: Identify the purposes of patient education. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
2. A nurse is teaching a group of healthy adults about the benefits of flu immunizations. Which type
of patient education is the nurse providing?
a.
Health analogies
b.
Restoration of health
c.
Coping with impaired functions
d.
Promotion of health and illness prevention
ANS: D
As a nurse, you are a visible, competent resource for patients who want to improve their physical
and psychological well-being. In the school, home, clinic, or workplace, you promote health and
prevent illness by providing information and skills that enable patients to assume healthier
behaviors. Injured and ill patients need information and skills to help them regain or maintain their
level of health; this is referred to as restoration of health. Not all patients fully recover from illness or
injury. Many have to learn to cope with permanent health alterations; this is known as coping with
impaired functions. Analogies supplement verbal instruction with familiar images that make complex
information more real and understandable. For example, when explaining arterial blood pressure,
use an analogy of the flow of water through a hose.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:337
OBJ: Identify the purposes of patient education. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse’s goal is to provide teaching for restoration of health. Which situation indicates the nurse
is meeting this goal?
a.
Teaching a family member to provide passive range of motion for a stroke patient
b.
Teaching a woman who recently had a hysterectomy about possible adoption
c.
Teaching expectant parents about changes in childbearing women
d.
Teaching a teenager with a broken leg how to use crutches
ANS: D
Injured or ill patients need information and skills to help them regain or maintain their levels of
health. An example includes teaching a teenager with a broken leg how to use crutches. Not all
patients fully recover from illness or injury. Many have to learn to cope with permanent health
alterations. New knowledge and skills are often necessary for patients and/or family members to
continue activities of daily living. Teaching family members to help the patient with health care
management (e.g., giving medications through gastric tubes, doing passive range-of-motion
exercises) is an example of coping with long-term impaired functions. For a woman with a
hysterectomy, teaching about adoption is not restoration of health; restoration of health in this
situation would involve activity restrictions and incision care if needed. In childbearing classes, you
teach expectant parents about physical and psychological changes in the woman and about fetal
development; this is part of health maintenance.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:337
OBJ: Identify the purposes of patient education. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4. A nurse attends a seminar on teaching/learning. Which statement indicates the nurse has a good
understanding of teaching/learning?
a.
“Teaching and learning can be separated.”
b.
“Learning is an interactive process that promotes teaching.”
c.
“Teaching is most effective when it responds to the learner’s needs.”
d.
“Learning consists of a conscious, deliberate set of actions designed to help the teacher.”
ANS: C
Teaching is most effective when it responds to the learner’s needs. It is impossible to separate
teaching from learning. Teaching is an interactive process that promotes learning. Teaching consists
of a conscious, deliberate set of actions that help individuals gain new knowledge, change attitudes,
adopt new behaviors, or perform new skills.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:337
OBJ: Describe the similarities and differences between teaching and learning.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A nurse is determining if teaching is effective. Which finding best indicates learning has occurred?
a.
A nurse presents information about diabetes.
b.
A patient demonstrates how to inject insulin.
c.
A family member listens to a lecture on diabetes.
d.
A primary care provider hands a diabetes pamphlet to the patient.
ANS: B
Learning is the purposeful acquisition of new knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and skills: patient
demonstrates how to inject insulin. A new mother exhibits learning when she demonstrates how to
bathe her newborn. A nurse presenting information and a primary care provider handing a pamphlet
to a patient are examples of teaching. A family member listening to a lecture does not indicate that
learning occurred; a change in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and/or skills must be evident.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:337
OBJ: Describe the similarities and differences between teaching and learning.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about the Speak Up Initiatives. Which information should the nurse
include in the teaching session?
a.
If you still do not understand, ask again.
b.
Ask a nurse to be your advocate or supporter.
c.
The nurse is the center of the health care team.
d.
Inappropriate medical tests are the most common mistakes.
ANS: A
If you still do not understand, ask again is part of the S portion of the Speak Up Initiatives. Speak up
if you have questions or concerns. You (the patient) are the center of the health care team, not the
nurse. Ask a trusted family member or friend to be your advocate (advisor or supporter), not a nurse.
Medication errors are the most common health care mistakes, not inappropriate medical tests.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:337
OBJ: Identify the role of the nurse in patient education. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
7. A nurse teaches a patient with heart failure healthy food choices. The patient states that eating
yogurt is better than eating cake. Which element represents feedback?
a.
The nurse
b.
The patient
c.
The nurse teaching about healthy food choices
d.
The patient stating that eating yogurt is better than eating cake
ANS: D
Feedback needs to demonstrate the success of the learner in achieving objectives (i.e., the learner
verbalizes information or provides a return demonstration of skills learned). The nurse is the sender.
The patient (learner) is the receiver. The teaching is the message.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:338
OBJ: Describe appropriate communication principles when providing patient education.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
8. While preparing a teaching plan, the nurse describes what the learner will be able to accomplish
after the teaching session about healthy eating. Which action is the nurse completing?
a.
Developing learning objectives
b.
Providing positive reinforcement
c.
Presenting facts and knowledge
d.
Implementing interpersonal communication
ANS: A
Learning objectives describe what the learner will exhibit as a result of successful instruction.
Positive reinforcement follows feedback and reinforces good behavior and promotes continued
compliance. Interpersonal communication is necessary for the teaching/learning process, but
describing what the learner will be able to do after successful instruction constitutes learning
objectives. Facts and knowledge will be presented in the teaching session.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:338
OBJ: Describe appropriate communication principles when providing patient education.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. A patient learns that a normal adult heartbeat is 60 to 100 beats/min after a teaching session with
a nurse. In which domain did learning take place?
a.
Kinesthetic
b.
Cognitive
c.
Affective
d.
Psychomotor
ANS: B
The patient acquired knowledge, which is cognitive. Cognitive learning includes all intellectual skills
and requires thinking. In the hierarchy of cognitive behaviors, the simplest behavior is acquiring
knowledge. Kinesthetic is a type of learner who learns best with a hands-on approach. Affective
learning deals with expression of feelings and development of attitudes, beliefs, or values.
Psychomotor learning involves acquiring skills that require integration of mental and physical
activities, such as the ability to walk or use an eating utensil.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:338-339
OBJ:Describe the domains of learning.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. A nurse is trying to help a patient begin to accept the chronic nature of diabetes. Which teaching
technique should the nurse use to enhance learning?
a.
Lecture
b.
Role play
c.
Demonstration
d.
Question and answer sessions
ANS: B
Affective learning deals with expression of feelings and acceptance of attitudes, beliefs, or values.
Role play and discussion (one-on-one and group) are effective teaching methods for the affective
domain. Lecture and question and answer sessions are effective teaching methods for the cognitive
domain. Demonstration is an effective teaching method for the psychomotor domain.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:339
OBJ:Describe the domains of learning.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. A nurse is describing a patient’s perceived ability to successfully complete a task. Which term
should the nurse use to describe this attribute?
a.
Self-efficacy
b.
Motivation
c.
Attentional set
d.
Active participation
ANS: A
Self-efficacy, a concept included in social learning theory, refers to a person’s perceived ability to
successfully complete a task. Motivation is a force that acts on or within a person (e.g., an idea, an
emotion, a physical need) to cause the person to behave in a particular way. An attentional set is the
mental state that allows the learner to focus on and comprehend a learning activity. Learning occurs
when the patient is actively involved in the educational session.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:340
OBJ:Identify basic learning principles.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. A toddler is going to have surgery on the right ear. Which teaching method is mostappropriate
for this developmental stage?
a.
Encourage independent learning.
b.
Develop a problem-solving scenario.
c.
Wrap a bandage around a stuffed animal’s ear.
d.
Use discussion throughout the teaching session.
ANS: C
Use play to teach a procedure or activity (e.g., handling examination equipment, applying a bandage
to a doll) to toddlers. Encouraging independent learning is for the young or middle adult. Use of
discussion is for older children, adolescents, and adults, not for toddlers. Use problem solving to
help adolescents make choices. Problem solving is too advanced for a toddler.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:342
OBJ:Discuss how to integrate education into patient-centered care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. A nurse is preparing to teach a patient about smoking cessation. Which factors should the nurse
assess to determine a patient’s ability to learn?
a.
Sociocultural background and motivation
b.
Stage of grieving and overall physical health
c.
Developmental capabilities and physical capabilities
d.
Psychosocial adaptation to illness and active participation
ANS: C
Developmental and physical capabilities reflect one’s ability to learn. Sociocultural background and
motivation are factors determining readiness to learn. Psychosocial adaptation to illness and active
participation are factors in readiness to learn. Readiness to learn is related to the stage of grieving.
Overall physical health does reflect ability to learn; however, because it is paired here with stage of
grieving (which is a readiness to learn factor), this is incorrect.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:341-342
OBJ: Differentiate factors that determine readiness to learn from those that determine ability to learn.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. A nurse is teaching a patient about heart failure. Which environment will the nurse use?
a.
A darkened, quiet room
b.
A well-lit, ventilated room
c.
A private room at 85° F temperature
d.
A group room for 10 to 12 patients with heart failure
ANS: B
The ideal environment for learning is a room that is well lit and has good ventilation, appropriate
furniture, and a comfortable temperature. Although a quiet room is appropriate, a darkened room
interferes with the patient’s ability to watch your actions, especially when demonstrating a skill or
using visual aids such as posters or pamphlets. A room that is cold, hot, or stuffy makes the patient
too uncomfortable to focus on the information being presented. Learning in a group of six or less is
more effective and avoids distracting behaviors.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:342
OBJ: Establish an environment that promotes learning. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. Which assessment finding will cause the nurse to begin teaching a patient because the patient is
ready to learn?
a.
A patient has the ability to grasp and apply the elastic bandage.
b.
A patient has sufficient upper body strength to move from a bed to a wheelchair.
c.
A patient with a below-the-knee amputation is motivated about how to walk with assistive devices.
d.
A patient has normal eyesight to identify the markings on a syringe and coordination to handle a syringe.
ANS: C
Motivation underlies a person’s desire or willingness to learn. Motivation is a force that acts on or
within a person (e.g., an idea, emotion, or a physical need) to cause the person to behave in a
particular way. For example, a patient with a below-the-knee amputation is motivated to learn how to
walk with assistive devices, indicating a readiness to learn. Do not confuse readiness to learn with
ability to learn. All the other answers are examples of ability to learn because this often depends on
the patient’s level of physical development and overall physical health. To learn psychomotor skills,
a patient needs to possess a certain level of strength, coordination, and sensory acuity. For
example, it is useless to teach a patient to transfer from a bed to a wheelchair if he or she has
insufficient upper body strength. An older patient with poor eyesight or an inability to grasp objects
tightly cannot learn to apply an elastic bandage or handle a syringe.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:340 | 344
OBJ: Differentiate factors that determine readiness to learn from those that determine ability to learn.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. A nurse is teaching a patient with a risk for hypertension how to take a blood pressure. Which
action by the nurse is the priority?
a.
Assess laboratory results for high cholesterol and other data.
b.
Identify that teaching is the same as the nursing process.
c.
Perform nursing care therapies to address hypertension.
d.
Focus on a patient’s learning needs and objectives.
ANS: D
The teaching process focuses on the patient’s learning needs, motivation, and ability to learn; writing
learning objectives and goals is also included. Nursing and teaching processes are not the same.
Assessing laboratory results for high cholesterol and performing nursing care therapies are all
components of the nursing process, not the teaching process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:343
OBJ:Compare and contrast the nursing and teaching processes.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. A patient has heart failure and kidney failure. The patient needs teaching about dialysis. Which
nursing action is most appropriate for assessing this patient’s learning needs?
a.
Assess the patient’s total health care needs.
b.
Assess the patient’s health literacy.
c.
Assess all sources of patient data.
d.
Assess the goals of patient care.
ANS: B
Because health literacy influences how you deliver teaching strategies, it is critical for you to assess
a patient’s health literacy before providing instruction. The nursing process requires assessment of
all sources of data to determine a patient’s total health care needs. Evaluation of the teaching
process involves determining outcomes of the teaching/learning process and the achievement of
learning objectives; assessing the goals of patient care is the evaluation component of the nursing
process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:343-345
OBJ:Compare and contrast the nursing and teaching processes.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. A nurse is teaching a patient about hypertension. In which order from first to last will the nurse
implement the steps of the teaching process?
1. Set mutual goals for knowledge of hypertension.
2. Teach what the patient wants to know about hypertension.
3. Assess what the patient already knows about hypertension.
4. Evaluate the outcomes of patient education for hypertension.
a.
1, 3, 2, 4
b.
2, 3, 1, 4
c.
3, 1, 2, 4
d.
3, 2, 1, 4
ANS: C
Assessment is the first step of any teaching session, then diagnosing, planning (goals),
implementation, and evaluation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:343
OBJ: Identify the appropriate topics that address a patient’s health education needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A patient had a stroke and must use a cane for support. A nurse is preparing to teach the patient
about the cane. Which learning objective/outcome is most appropriate for the nurse to include in the
teaching plan?
a.
The patient will walk to the bathroom and back to bed using a cane.
b.
The patient will understand the importance of using a cane.
c.
The patient will know the correct use of a cane.
d.
The patient will learn how to use a cane.
ANS: A
Outcomes often describe a behavior that identifies the patient’s ability to do something on
completion of teaching such as will empty a colostomy bag or will administer an injection.
Understand, learn, and know are not behaviors that can be observed or evaluated.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:346
OBJ: Write learning objectives for a teaching plan. TOP: Planning
MSC:Management of Care
20. Which learning objective/outcome has the highest priority for a patient with life-threatening,
severe food allergies that require an EpiPen (epinephrine)?
a.
The patient will identify the main ingredients in several foods.
b.
The patient will list the side effects of epinephrine.
c.
The patient will learn about food labels.
d.
The patient will administer epinephrine.
ANS: D
Once you assist in meeting patient needs related to basic survival (how to give epinephrine), you
can discuss other topics, such as nutritional needs and side effects of medications. For example, a
patient recently diagnosed with coronary artery disease has deficient knowledge related to the
illness and its implications. The patient benefits most by first learning about the correct way to take
nitroglycerin and how long to wait before calling for help when chest pain occurs. Thus, in this
situation, the patient benefits most by first learning about the correct way to take epinephrine. “The
patient will learn about food labels” is not objective and measurable and is not correctly written.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:346
OBJ: Write learning objectives for a teaching plan. TOP: Evaluation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
21. After a teaching session on taking blood pressures, the nurse tells the patient, “You took that
blood pressure like an experienced nurse.” Which type of reinforcement did the nurse use?
a.
Social acknowledgment
b.
Pleasurable activity
c.
Tangible reward
d.
Entrusting
ANS: A
Reinforcers come in the form of social acknowledgments (e.g., nods, smiles, words of
encouragement), pleasurable activities (e.g., walks or play time), and tangible rewards (e.g., toys or
food). The entrusting approach is a teaching approach that provides a patient the opportunity to
manage self-care. It is not a type of reinforcement.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:348
OBJ:Identify basic learning principles.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
22. A patient with heart failure is learning to reduce salt in the diet. When will be the best time for the
nurse to address this topic?
a.
At bedtime, while the patient is relaxed
b.
At bath time, when the nurse is cleaning the patient
c.
At lunchtime, while the nurse is preparing the food tray
d.
At medication time, when the nurse is administering patient medication
ANS: C
In this situation, because the teaching is about food, coordinating it with routine nursing care that
involves food can be effective. Many nurses find that they are able to teach more effectively while
delivering nursing care. For example, while hanging blood, you explain to the patient why the blood
is necessary and the symptoms of a transfusion reaction that need to be reported immediately. At
bedtime would be a good time to discuss routines that enhance sleep. At bath time would be a good
time to describe skin care and how to prevent pressure ulcers. At medication time would be a good
time to explain the purposes and side effects of the medication.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:348
OBJ:Include patient teaching while performing routine nursing care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
23. A nurse is teaching a patient who has low health literacy about chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) while giving COPD medications. Which technique is mostappropriate for the nurse
to use?
a.
Use complex analogies to describe COPD.
b.
Ask for feedback to assess understanding of COPD at the end of the session.
c.
Offer pamphlets about COPD written at the eighth grade level with large type.
d.
Include the most important information on COPD at the beginning of the session.
ANS: D
Include the most important information at the beginning of the session for patients with literacy or
learning disabilities. Also, use visual cues and simple, not complex, analogies when appropriate.
Another technique is to frequently ask patients for feedback to determine whether they comprehend
the information. Additionally, provide teaching materials that reflect the reading level of the patient,
with attention given to short words and sentences, large type, and simple format (generally,
information written on a fifth grade reading level is recommended for adult learners).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:350
OBJ:Include patient teaching while performing routine nursing care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
24. A nurse is teaching a culturally diverse patient with a learning disability about nutritional needs.
What must the nurse do first before starting the teaching session?
a.
Obtain pictures of food.
b.
Get an interpreter.
c.
Establish a rapport.
d.
Refer to a dietitian.
ANS: C
Establishing trust is important for all patients, especially culturally diverse and learning disabled
patients, before starting teaching sessions. Obtaining pictures of food, getting an interpreter, and
referring to a dietitian all occur after rapport/trust is established.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:350
OBJ:Discuss how to integrate education into patient-centered care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
25. A nurse is teaching an older-adult patient about strokes. Which teaching technique
is mostappropriate for the nurse to use?
a.
Speak in a high tone of voice to describe strokes.
b.
Use a pamphlet about strokes with large font in blues and greens.
c.
Provide specific information about strokes in short, small amounts.
d.
Begin the teaching session facing the teaching white board with stroke information.
ANS: C
With older adults, keep the teaching session short with small amounts of information. Also, if using
written material, assess the patient’s ability to read and use information that is printed in large type
and in a color that contrasts highly with the background (e.g., black 14-point print on matte white
paper). Avoid blues and greens because they are more difficult to see. Speak in a low tone of voice
(lower tones are easier to hear than higher tones). Directly face the older-adult learner when
speaking.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:351-352
OBJ: Identify the appropriate topics that address a patient’s health education needs.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
26. A patient who is going to surgery has been taught how to cough and deep breathe. Which
evaluation method will the nurse use?
a.
Return demonstration
b.
Computer instruction
c.
Verbalization of steps
d.
Cloze test
ANS: A
To demonstrate mastery of the skill, have the patient perform a return demonstration under the same
conditions that will be experienced at home or in the place where the skill is to be performed.
Computer instruction is use of a programmed instruction format in which computers store response
patterns for learners and select further lessons on the basis of these patterns (programs can be
individualized). Computer instruction is a teaching tool, rather than an evaluation tool. Verbalization
of steps can be an evaluation tool, but it is not as effective as a return demonstration when
evaluating a psychomotor skill. The Cloze test, a test of reading comprehension, asks patients to fill
in the blanks that are in a written paragraph.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:349
OBJ: Use appropriate methods to evaluate learning. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
27. A patient has been taught how to change a colostomy bag but is having trouble measuring and
manipulating the equipment and has many questions. What is the nurse’s next action?
a.
Refer to a mental health specialist.
b.
Refer to a wound care specialist.
c.
Refer to an ostomy specialist.
d.
Refer to a dietitian.
ANS: C
Resources that specialize in a particular health need (e.g., wound care or ostomy specialists) are
integral to successful patient education. A mental health specialist is helpful for emotional issues
rather than for physical problems. A dietitian is a resource for nutritional needs. A wound care
specialist provides complex wound care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:346
OBJ: Use appropriate methods to evaluate learning. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
28. A nurse is teaching a patient about healthy eating habits. Which learning objective/outcome for
the affective domain will the nurse add to the teaching plan?
a.
The patient will state three facts about healthy eating.
b.
The patient will identify two foods for a healthy snack.
c.
The patient will verbalize the value of eating healthy.
d.
The patient will cook a meal with low-fat oil.
ANS: C
Affective learning deals with expression of feelings and acceptance of attitudes, beliefs, or values.
Having the patient value healthy eating habits falls within the affective domain. Stating three facts or
identifying two foods for a healthy snack falls within the cognitive domain. Cooking falls within the
psychomotor domain.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:338-339
OBJ: Write learning objectives for a teaching plan. TOP: Planning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
29. A nurse is assessing the ability to learn of a patient who has recently experienced a stroke.
Which question/statement will best assess the patient’s ability to learn?
a.
“What do you want to know about strokes?”
b.
“Please read this handout and tell me what it means.”
c.
“Do you feel strong enough to perform the tasks I will teach you?”
d.
“On a scale from 1 to 10, tell me where you rank your desire to learn.”
ANS: B
A patient’s reading level affects ability to learn. One way to assess a patient’s reading level and level
of understanding is to ask the patient to read instructions from an educational handout and then
explain their meaning. Reading level is often difficult to assess because patients who are functionally
illiterate are often able to conceal it by using excuses such as not having the time or not being able
to see. Asking patients what they want to know identifies previous learning and learning needs and
preferences; it does not assess ability to learn. Motivation (desire to learn) is related to readiness to
learn, not ability to learn. Just asking a patient if he or she feels strong is not as effective as actually
assessing the patient’s strength.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:344
OBJ: Differentiate factors that determine readiness to learn from those that determine ability to learn.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
30. A nurse is preparing to teach a kinesthetic learner about exercise. Which technique will the nurse
use?
a.
Let the patient touch and use the exercise equipment.
b.
Provide the patient with pictures of the exercise equipment.
c.
Let the patient listen to a video about the exercise equipment.
d.
Provide the patient with a case study about the exercise equipment.
ANS: A
Kinesthetic learners process knowledge by moving and participating in hands-on activities. Return
demonstrations and role playing work well with these learners. Patients who are visual-spatial
learners enjoy learning through pictures and visual charts to explain concepts. The verbal/linguistic
learner demonstrates strength in the language arts and therefore prefers learning by listening or
reading information. Patients who learn through logical-mathematical reasoning think in terms of
cause and effect, and respond best when required to predict logical outcomes. Specific teaching
strategies could include open-ended questioning or problem solving exercises, like a case study.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:344
OBJ: Establish an environment that promotes learning. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is asked by a co-worker why patient education/teaching is important. Which statements
will the nurse share with the co-worker? (Select all that apply.)
a.
“Patient education is an essential component of safe, patient-centered care.”
b.
“Patient education is a standard for professional nursing practice.”
c.
“Patient teaching falls within the scope of nursing practice.”
d.
“Patient teaching is documented and part of the chart.”
e.
“Patient education is not effective with children.”
f.
“Patient teaching can increase health care costs.”
ANS: A, B, C, D
Patient education has long been a standard for professional nursing practice. All state Nurse
Practice Acts acknowledge that patient teaching falls within the scope of nursing practice. Patient
education is an essential component of providing safe, patient-centered care. It is important to
document evidence of successful patient education in patients’ medical records. Patient education is
effective for children. Different techniques must be used with children. Creating a well-designed,
comprehensive teaching plan that fits a patient’s unique learning needs reduces health care costs,
improves quality of care, and ultimately changes behaviors to improve patient outcomes.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:336
OBJ: Identify the role of the nurse in patient education. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse is preparing to teach patients. Which patient finding will cause the nurse to postpone a
teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
The patient is hurting.
b.
The patient is fatigued.
c.
The patient is mildly anxious.
d.
The patient is asking questions.
e.
The patient is febrile (high fever).
f.
The patient is in the acceptance phase.
ANS: A, B, E
Any condition (e.g., pain, fatigue) that depletes a person’s energy also impairs the ability to learn, so
the session should be postponed until the pain is relieved and the patient is rested. Postpone
teaching when an illness becomes aggravated by complications such as a high fever or respiratory
difficulty. A mild level of anxiety motivates learning. When patients are ready to learn, they frequently
ask questions. When the patient enters the stage of acceptance, the stage compatible with learning,
introduce a teaching plan.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:341-342
OBJ:Discuss how to integrate education into patient-centered care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
Chapter 26: Documentation and Informatics
Chapter 26: Documentation and Informatics
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse preceptor is working with a student nurse. Which behavior by the student nurse will
require the nurse preceptor to intervene?
a.
The student nurse reads the patient’s plan of care.
b.
The student nurse reviews the patient’s medical record.
c.
The student nurse shares patient information with a friend.
d.
The student nurse documents medication administered to the patient.
ANS: C
When you are a student in a clinical setting, confidentiality and compliance with the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are part of professional practice. When a student nurse
shares patient information with a friend, confidentiality and HIPAA standards have been violated,
causing the preceptor to intervene. You can review your patients’ medical records only to seek
information needed to provide safe and effective patient care. For example, when you are assigned
to care for a patient, you need to review the patient’s medical record and plan of care. You do
not share this information with classmates and you do not access the medical records of other
patients on the unit.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:360
OBJ: Identify ways to maintain confidentiality of electronic and written records.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
2. A nurse exchanges information with the oncoming nurse about a patient’s care. Which action did
the nurse complete?
a.
A verbal report
b.
An electronic record entry
c.
A referral
d.
An acuity rating
ANS: A
Whether the transfer of patient information occurs through verbal reports, electronic or written
documents, you need to follow some basic principles. Reports are exchanges of information among
caregivers. A patient’s electronic medical record or chart is a confidential, permanent legal
documentation of information relevant to a patient’s health care. Nurses document referrals
(arrangements for the services of another care provider). Nurses use acuity ratings to determine the
hours of care and number of staff required for a given group of patients every shift or every 24 hours.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:359
OBJ:Describe the different methods used in record keeping.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
3. A nurse is auditing and monitoring patients’ health records. Which action is the nurse taking?
a. Determining the degree to which standards of care are met by reviewing patients’ health records
b. Realizing that care not documented in patients’ health records still qualifies as care provided
c. Basing reimbursement upon the diagnosis-related groups documented in patients’ records
d. Comparing data in patients’ records to determine whether a new treatment had better outcomes than the standard treatment
ANS: A
The auditing and monitoring of patients’ health records involve nurses periodically auditing records
to determine the degree to which standards of care are met and identifying areas needing
improvement and staff development. The mistakes in documentation that commonly result in
malpractice include failing to record nursing actions; this is the aspect of legal documentation. The
financial billing or reimbursement purpose involves diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) as the basis for
establishing reimbursement for patient care. For research purposes, the researcher compares the
patient’s recorded findings to determine whether the new method was more effective than the
standard protocol. Data analysis contributes to evidence-based nursing practice and quality health
care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:357
OBJ:Identify purposes of a health care record.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
4. After providing care, a nurse charts in the patient’s record. Which entry will the nurse document?
a.
Appears restless when sitting in the chair
b.
Drank adequate amounts of water
c.
Apparently is asleep with eyes closed
d.
Skin pale and cool
ANS: D
A factual record contains descriptive, objective information about what a nurse observes, hears,
palpates, and smells. Objective data is obtained through direct observation and measurement (skin
pale and cool). For example, “B/P 80/50, patient diaphoretic, heart rate 102 and regular.” Avoid
vague terms such as appears, seems, or apparently because these words suggest that you are
stating an opinion, do not accurately communicate facts, and do not inform another caregiver of
details regarding behaviors exhibited by the patient. Use of exact measurements establishes
accuracy. For example, a description such as “Intake, 360 mL of water” is more accurate than
“Patient drank an adequate amount of fluid.”
DIF:Apply (application)REF:358 | 361
OBJ:Describe five quality guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
5. A nurse has provided care to a patient. Which entry should the nurse document in the patient’s
record?
a.
Status unchanged, doing well
b.
Patient seems to be in pain and states, “I feel uncomfortable.”
c.
Left knee incision 1 inch in length without redness, drainage, or edema
d.
Patient is hard to care for and refuses all treatments and medications. Family is present.
ANS: C
Use of exact measurements establishes accuracy. Charting that an abdominal wound is
“approximated, 5 cm in length without redness, drainage, or edema,” is more descriptive than “large
abdominal incision healing well.” Include objective data to support subjective data, so your charting
is as descriptive as possible. Avoid using generalized, empty phrases such as “status unchanged” or
“had good day.” It is essential to avoid the use of unnecessary words and irrelevant details or
personal opinions. “Patient is hard to care for” is a personal opinion and should be avoided. It is also
a critical comment that can be used as evidence for nonprofessional behavior or poor quality of care.
Just chart, “Refuses all treatments and medications.”
DIF:Apply (application)REF:358 | 361
OBJ:Describe five quality guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
6. A preceptor is working with a new nurse on documentation. Which situation will cause the
preceptor to follow up?
a.
The new nurse documents only for self.
b.
The new nurse charts consecutively on every other line.
c.
The new nurse ends each entry with signature and title.
d.
The new nurse keeps the password secure.
ANS: B
Chart consecutively, line by line (not every other line); every other line is incorrect and must be
corrected by the preceptor. If space is left, draw a line horizontally through it, and place your
signature and credentials at the end. Every other line should not be left blank. All the other behaviors
are correct and need no follow-up. Documenting only for yourself is an appropriate behavior. End
each entry with signature and title/credentials. For computer documentation, keep your password to
yourself.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:358
OBJ:Discuss legal guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
7. A nurse is charting on a patient’s record. Which action will the nurse take that is accurate legally?
a.
Charts legibly
b.
States the patient is belligerent
c.
Writes entry for another nurse
d.
Uses correction fluid to correct error
ANS: A
Record all entries legibly. Do not write personal opinions (belligerent). Enter only objective and
factual observations of patient’s behavior; quote all patient comments. Do not erase, apply correction
fluid, or scratch out errors made while recording. Chart only for yourself.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:358
OBJ:Discuss legal guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
8. A nurse wants to find all the pertinent patient information in one record, regardless of the number
of times the patient entered the health care system. Which record should the nurse find?
a.
Electronic medical record
b.
Electronic health record
c.
Electronic charting record
d.
Electronic problem record
ANS: B
The term electronic health record/EHR is increasingly used to refer to a longitudinal (lifetime) record
of all health care encounters for an individual patient by linking all patient data from previous health
encounters. An electronic medical record (EMR) is the legal record that describes a single encounter
or visit created in hospitals and outpatient health care settings that is the source of data for the EHR.
There are no such terms as electronic charting record or electronic problem record that record the
lifetime information of a patient.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:359
OBJ:Describe the different methods used in record keeping.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
9. A nurse has taught the patient how to use crutches. The patient went up and down the stairs
using crutches with no difficulties. Which information will the nurse use for the “I” in PIE charting?
a.
Patient went up and down stairs
b.
Demonstrated use of crutches
c.
Used crutches with no difficulties
d.
Deficient knowledge related to never using crutches
ANS: B
A second progress note method is the PIE format. The narrative note includes P—Nursing
diagnosis, I—Intervention, and E—Evaluation. The intervention is “Demonstrated use of crutches.”
“Patient went up and down stairs” and “Used crutches with no difficulties” are examples of E.
“Deficient knowledge regarding crutches” is P.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:363-364
OBJ:Describe the different methods used in record keeping.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
10. A nurse wants to find the daily weights of a patient. Which form will the nurse use?
a.
Database
b.
Progress notes
c.
Patient care summary
d.
Graphic record and flow sheet
ANS: D
Within a computerized documentation system, flow sheets and graphic records allow you to quickly
and easily enter assessment data about a patient, such as vital signs, admission and or daily
weights, and percentage of meals eaten. In the problem-oriented medical record, the database
section contains all available assessment information pertaining to the patient (e.g., history and
physical examination, nursing admission history and ongoing assessment, physical therapy
assessment, laboratory reports, and radiologic test results). Many computerized documentation
systems have the ability to generate a patient care summary document that you review and
sometimes print for each patient at the beginning and/or end of each shift; it includes information
such as basic demographic data, health care provider’s name, primary medical diagnosis, and
current orders. Health care team members monitor and record the progress made toward resolving a
patient’s problems in progress notes.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:362 | 365
OBJ:Discuss the advantages of standardized documentation forms.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
11. A nurse is a member of an interdisciplinary team that uses critical pathways. According to the
critical pathway, on day 2 of the hospital stay, the patient should be sitting in the chair. It is day 3,
and the patient cannot sit in the chair. What should the nurse do?
a.
Add this data to the problem list.
b.
Focus chart using the DAR format.
c.
Document the variance in the patient’s record.
d.
Report a positive variance in the next interdisciplinary team meeting.
ANS: C
A variance occurs when the activities on the critical pathway are not completed as predicted or the
patient does not meet expected outcomes. An example of a negative variance is when a patient
develops pulmonary complications after surgery, requiring oxygen therapy and monitoring with pulse
oximetry. A positive variance occurs when a patient progresses more rapidly than expected (e.g.,
use of a Foley catheter may be discontinued a day early). When a nurse is using the problemoriented medical record, after analyzing data, health care team members identify problems and
make a single problem list. A third format used for notes within a POMR is focus charting. It involves
the use of DAR notes, which include D—Data (both subjective and objective), A—Action or nursing
intervention, and R—Response of the patient (i.e., evaluation of effectiveness).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:364-365
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between documentation and financial reimbursement for health care.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
12. A nurse needs to begin discharge planning for a patient admitted with pneumonia and a
congested cough. When is the best time the nurse should start discharge planning for this patient?
a.
Upon admission
b.
Right before discharge
c.
After the congestion is treated
d.
When the primary care provider writes the order
ANS: A
Ideally, discharge planning begins at admission. Right before discharge is too late for discharge
planning. After the congestion is treated is also too late for discharge planning. Usually the primary
care provider writes the order too close to discharge, and nurses do not need an order to begin the
teaching that will be needed for discharge. By identifying discharge needs early, nursing and other
health care professionals begin planning for discharge to the appropriate level of care, which
sometimes includes support services such as home care and equipment needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:365
OBJ: Identify elements to include when documenting a patient’s discharge plan.
TOP: Planning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
13. A patient is being discharged home. Which information should the nurse include?
a.
Acuity level
b.
Community resources
c.
Standardized care plan
d.
Signature for verbal order
ANS: B
Discharge documentation includes medications, diet, community resources, follow-up care, and who
to contact in case of an emergency or for questions. A patient’s acuity level, usually determined by a
computer program, is based on the types and numbers of nursing interventions (e.g., intravenous
[IV] therapy, wound care, or ambulation assistance) required over a 24-hour period. Many
computerized documentation systems include standardized care plans or clinical practice guidelines
(CPGs) to facilitate the creation and documentation of a nursing and or interprofessional plan of
care. Each CPG facilitates safe and consistent care for an identified problem by describing or listing
institutional standards and evidence-based guidelines that are easily accessed and included in a
patient’s electronic health record. Verbal orders occur when a health care provider gives therapeutic
orders to a registered nurse while they are standing in proximity to one another.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:366
OBJ: Identify elements to include when documenting a patient’s discharge plan.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
14. A nurse developed the following discharge summary sheet. Which critical information should the
nurse add?
TOPIC
Medication
Diet
Activity level
Follow-up care
Wound care
Phone numbers
When to call the doctor
DISCHARGE SUMMARY
Time of discharge
a.
Clinical decision support system
b.
Admission nursing history
c.
Mode of transportation
d.
SOAP notes
ANS: C
List actual time of discharge, mode of transportation, and who accompanied the patient for discharge
summary information. Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are computerized programs used
within the health care setting, to aid and support clinical decision making. The knowledge base
within a CDSS contains rules and logic statements that link information required for clinical decisions
in order to generate tailored recommendations for individual patients that are presented to nurses as
alerts, warnings, or other information for consideration. A nurse completes a nursing history form
when a patient is admitted to a nursing unit, not when the patient is discharged. SOAP notes are not
given to patients who are being discharged. SOAP notes are a type of documentation style.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:366
OBJ: Identify elements to include when documenting a patient’s discharge plan.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
15. A home health nurse is preparing for an initial home visit. Which information should be included
in the patient’s home care medical record?
a.
Nursing process form
b.
Step-by-step skills manual
c.
A list of possible procedures
d.
Reports to third-party payers
ANS: D
Information in the home care medical record includes patient assessment, referral and intake forms,
interprofessional plan of care, a list of medications, and reports to third-party payers. An
interprofessional plan of care is used rather than a nursing process form. A step-by-step skills
manual and a list of possible procedures are not included in the record.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:366
OBJ: Identify important aspects of home care and long-term care documentation.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
16. A nurse in a long-term care setting that is funded by Medicare and Medicaid is completing
standardized protocols for assessment and care planning for reimbursement. Which task is the
nurse completing?
a.
A minimum data set
b.
An admission assessment and acuity level
c.
A focused assessment/specific body system
d.
An intake assessment form and auditing phase
ANS: A
The Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI), which includes the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and the
Care Area Assessment (CAA), is the data set that is federally mandated for use in long-term care
facilities by CMS. MDS assessment forms are completed upon admission, and then periodically,
within specific guidelines and time frames for all residents in certified nursing homes. The MDS also
determines the reimbursement level under the prospective payment system. A focused assessment
is limited to a specific body system. An admission assessment and acuity level is performed in the
hospital. An intake form is for home health. There is no such thing as an auditing phase in an
assessment intake.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:366
OBJ: Identify important aspects of home care and long-term care documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
17. A nurse is charting. Which information is critical for the nurse to document?
a.
The patient had a good day with no complaints.
b.
The family is demanding and argumentative.
c.
The patient received a pain medication, Lortab.
d.
The family is poor and had to go on welfare.
ANS: C
Nursing interventions and treatments (e.g., medication administration) must be documented. Avoid
using generalized, empty phrases such as “status unchanged” or “had good day.” Do not document
retaliatory or critical comments about a patient, like demanding and argumentative. Family is poor is
not critical information to chart.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:362
OBJ:Describe five quality guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
18. A nurse is completing an OASIS data set on a patient. The nurse works in which area?
a.
Home health
b.
Intensive care unit
c.
Skilled nursing facility
d.
Long-term care facility
ANS: A
Nurses use two different data sets to document the clinical assessments and care provided in the
home care setting, the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) and the Omaha System.
The intensive care unit does not use the OASIS data set. The long-term health care setting includes
skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in which patients receive 24-hour day care.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:366
OBJ: Identify important aspects of home care and long-term care documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
19. A nurse is preparing to document a patient who has chest pain. Which information is critical for
the nurse to include?
a.
The family is a “pain.”
b.
Pupils equal and reactive to light
c.
Had poor results from the pain medication
d.
Sharp pain of 8 on a scale of 1 to 10
ANS: D
You need to ensure the information within a recorded entry or a report is complete, containing
appropriate and essential information (pain of 8). Document subjective and objective assessment.
While pupils equal and reactive to light is data, it does not relate to the chest pain; this information
would be critical for a head injury. Derogatory or inappropriate comments about the patient or family
(“pain”) is not appropriate. This kind of language can be used as evidence for nonprofessional
behavior or poor quality of care. Avoid using generalized, empty phrases like “poor results.” Use
complete, concise descriptions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:362
OBJ:Discuss legal guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
20. A nurse is providing care to a group of patients. Which situation will require the nurse to obtain a
telephone order?
a.
As the nurse and health care provider leave a patient’s room, the primary care provider gives the nurse an order.
b. At 0100, a patient’s blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/50, and the incision dressing is saturated with blood.
c.
At 0800, the nurse and health care provider make rounds, and the primary care provider tells the nurse a diet order.
d. A nurse reads an order correctly as written by the health care provider in the patient’s medical record.
ANS: B
Telephone orders and verbal orders (VO) usually occur at night or during emergencies (blood
pressure dropping); they should be used only when absolutely necessary and not for the sake of
convenience. Because the time is 1 AM (0100 military time) and the health care provider is not
present, the nurse will need to call the health care provider for a telephone order. A VO involves the
health care provider giving orders to a nurse while they are standing in proximity to one another. Just
reading an order that is correctly written in the chart does not require a telephone order.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:367
OBJ:Discuss legal guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
21. A nurse obtained a telephone order from a primary care provider for a patient in pain. Which
chart entry should the nurse document?
a.
12/16/20XX 0915 Morphine, 2 mg, IV every 4 hours for incisional pain. VO Dr. Day/J. Winds, RN, read back.
b.
12/16/20XX 0915 Morphine, 2 mg, IV every 4 hours for incisional pain. TO J. Winds, RN, read back.
c.
12/16/20XX 0915 Morphine, 2 mg, IV every 4 hours for incisional pain. TO Dr. Day/J. Winds, RN, read back.
d.
12/16/20XX 0915 Morphine, 2 mg, IV every 4 hours for incisional pain. TO J. Winds, RN.
ANS: C
The nurse receiving a TO or VO enters the complete order into the computer using the computerized
provider order entry (CPOE) software or writes it out on a physician’s order sheet for entry in the
computer as soon as possible. After you have taken the order, read the order back, using the “read
back” process, and document that you did this to provide evidence that the information received
(such as call back instructions and/or therapeutic orders) was verified with the provider. An example
follows: “10/16/2015 (08:15), Change IV fluid to Lactated Ringers with Potassium 20 mEq/L to run at
125 mL/hr. TO: Dr. Knight/J. Woods, RN, read back.” VO stands for verbal order, not telephone
order. The health care provider’s name and read back must be included in the chart entry.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:367
OBJ:Discuss legal guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
22. A nurse is teaching the staff about informatics. Which information from the staff indicates the
nurse needs to follow up?
a.
To be proficient in informatics, a nurse should be able to discover, retrieve, and use information in practice.
b.
A nurse needs to know how to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.
c.
If a nurse has computer competency, the nurse is competent in informatics.
d.
Nursing informatics is a recognized specialty area of nursing practice.
ANS: C
When the staff make an incorrect statement, then the nurse needs to follow up. Competence in
informatics is not the same as computer competency. All the rest are correct information so the
nurse does not need to follow up. To become competent in informatics, you need to be able to use
evolving methods of discovering, retrieving, and using information in practice. This means that you
learn to recognize when information is needed and have the skills to find, evaluate, and use that
information effectively. Nursing informatics is a specialty that integrates the use of information and
computer technology to support all aspects of nursing practice, including direct delivery of care,
administration, education, and research.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:367
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between informatics and quality health care.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
23. A hospital is using a computer system that allows all health care providers to use a protocol
system to document the care they provide. Which type of system/design will the nurse be using?
a.
Clinical decision support system
b.
Nursing process design
c.
Critical pathway design
d.
Computerized provider order entry system
ANS: C
One design model for Nursing Clinical Information Systems (NCIS) is the protocol or critical pathway
design. This design facilitates interdisciplinary management of information because all health care
providers use evidence-based protocols or critical pathways to document the care they provide. The
knowledge base within a CDSS contains rules and logic statements that link information required for
clinical decisions in order to generate tailored recommendations for individual patients, which are
presented to nurses as alerts, warnings, or other information for consideration. The nursing process
design is the most traditional design for an NCIS. This design organizes documentation within wellestablished formats such as admission and postoperative assessments, problem lists, care plans,
discharge planning instructions, and intervention lists or notes. Computerized provider order entry
(CPOE) systems allow health care providers to directly enter orders for patient care into the
hospital’s information system.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:369
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between informatics and quality health care.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
24. A nurse wants to reduce data entry errors on the computer system. Which action should the
nurse take?
a.
Use the same password all the time.
b.
Share password with only one other staff member.
c.
Print out and review computer nursing notes at home.
d.
Chart on the computer immediately after care is provided.
ANS: D
To increase accuracy and decrease unnecessary duplication, many health care agencies keep
records or computers near a patient’s bedside to facilitate immediate documentation of information
as it is collected. A good system requires frequent, random changes in personal passwords to
prevent unauthorized persons from tampering with records. When using a health care agency
computer system, it is essential that you do not share your computer password with anyone under
any circumstances. You destroy all papers containing personal information immediately after you
use them. Taking nursing notes home is a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) and confidentiality.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:362
OBJ: Identify ways to reduce data entry errors. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
25. Which entry will require follow-up by the nurse manager?
0800 Patient states, “Fell out of bed.” Patient found lying by bed on the floor. Legs equal in length bilaterally with no
distortion, pedal pulses strong, leg strength equal and strong, no bruising or bleeding. Neuro checks within normal limits.
States, “Did not pass out.” Assisted back to bed. Call bell within reach. Bed monitor on.
——————-Jane More, RN
0810 Notified primary care provider of patient’s status. New orders received. ——————-Jane More, RN
0815 Portable x-ray of L hip taken in room. States, “I feel fine.” ——————-Jane More, RN
0830 Incident report completed and placed on chart.
——————-Jane More, RN
a.
0800
b.
0810
c.
0815
d.
0830
ANS: D
Do not include any reference to an incident in the medical record; therefore, the nurse manager must
follow up. A notation about an incident report in a patient’s medical record makes it easier for a
lawyer to argue that the reference makes the incident report part of the medical record and therefore
subject to attorney review. When an incident occurs, document an objective description of what
happened, what you observed, and the follow-up actions taken, including notification of the patient’s
health care provider in the patient’s medical record. Remember to evaluate and document the
patient’s response to the incident.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:367
OBJ:Discuss legal guidelines for documentation.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
26. A patient has a diagnosis of pneumonia. Which entry should the nurse chart to help with financial
reimbursement?
Used incentive spirometer to encourage coughing and deep breathing. Lung congested upon auscultation in lower lobes
a. bilaterally. Pulse oximetry 86%. Oxygen per nasal cannula applied at 2 L/min per standing order.
Cooperative, patient coughed and deep breathed using a pillow as a splint. Stated, “felt better.” Finally, patient had no
b. complaints.
c. Breathing without difficulty. Sitting up in bed watching TV. Had a good day.
d. Status unchanged. Remains stable with no abnormal findings. Checked every 2 hours.
ANS: A
Accurately documenting services provided, including the supplies and equipment used in a patient’s
care, clarifies the type of treatment a patient received. This documentation also supports accurate
and timely reimbursement to a health care agency and/or patient. None of the other options had
equipment or supplies listed. Avoid using generalized, empty phrases such as “status unchanged” or
“had good day.” Do not enter personal opinions—stating that the patient is cooperative is a personal
opinion and should be avoided. “Finally, patient had no complaints” is a critical comment about the
patient and if charted can be used as evidence of nonprofessional behavior or poor quality of care.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:357-358
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between documentation and financial reimbursement for health care.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
27. A nurse is teaching the staff about health care reimbursement. Which information should the
nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
Home health, long-term care, and hospital nurses’ documentation can affect reimbursement for health care.
b.
A clinical information system must be installed by 2014 to obtain health care reimbursement.
c.
A “near miss” helps determine reimbursement issues for health care.
d.
HIPAA is the basis for establishing reimbursement for health care.
ANS: A
Nurses’ documentation practices in home health, long-term care, and hospitals can determine
reimbursement for health care. A “near miss” is an incident where no property was damaged and no
patient or personnel were injured, but given a slight shift in time or position, damage or injury could
have easily occurred. A clinical information system (CIS) does not have to be installed by 2014 to
obtain reimbursement. CIS programs include monitoring systems; order entry systems; and
laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy systems. Diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) are the basis for
establishing reimbursement for patient care, not HIPAA. Legislation to protect patient privacy
regarding health information is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:357 | 366
OBJ: Discuss the relationship between documentation and financial reimbursement for health care.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
28. A nurse is discussing the advantages of a nursing clinical information system. Which advantage
should the nurse describe?
a.
Varied clinical databases
b.
Reduced errors of omission
c.
Increased hospital costs
d.
More time to read charts
ANS: B
Advantages associated with the nursing information system include reduced errors of omission;
better access to information (not more time to read charts); enhanced quality of documentation;
reduced, not increased, hospital costs; increased nurse job satisfaction; compliance with
requirements of accrediting agencies (e.g., TJC); and development of a common, not varied, clinical
database.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:369
OBJ:Describe the advantages of a nursing information system.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which behaviors indicate the student nurse has a good understanding of confidentiality and the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Writes the patient’s room number and date of birth on a paper for school
b.
Prints/copies material from the patient’s health record for a graded care plan
c.
Reviews assigned patient’s record and another unassigned patient’s record
d.
Gives a change-of-shift report to the oncoming nurse about the patient
e.
Reads the progress notes of assigned patient’s record
f.
Discusses patient care with the hospital volunteer
ANS: D, E
When you are a student in a clinical setting, confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA are part of
professional practice. Reading the progress notes of an assigned patient’s record and giving a
change-of-shift report to the oncoming nurse about the patient are behaviors that follow HIPAA and
confidentiality guidelines. Do not share information with other patients or health care team members
who are not caring for a patient. Not only is it unethical to view medical records of other patients, but
breaches of confidentiality lead to disciplinary action by employers and dismissal from work or
nursing school. To protect patient confidentiality, ensure that written materials used in your student
clinical practice do not include patient identifiers (e.g., room number, date of birth, demographic
information), and never print material from an electronic health record for personal use.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:359-361
OBJ: Identify ways to maintain confidentiality of electronic and written records.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
2. A nurse is describing the purposes of a health care record to a group of nursing students. Which
purposes will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Communication
b.
Legal documentation
c.
Reimbursement
d.
Nursing process
e.
Research
f.
Education
ANS: A, B, C, E, F
A patient’s record is a valuable source of data for all members of the health care team. Its purposes
include interdisciplinary communication, legal documentation, financial billing (reimbursement),
education, research, and auditing/monitoring. Nursing process is a way of thinking and performing
nursing care; it is not a purpose of a health care record.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:356-357
OBJ:Identify purposes of a health care record.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
3. A nurse is developing a plan to reduce data entry errors and maintain confidentiality. Which
guidelines should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Bypass the firewall.
b.
Implement an automatic sign-off.
c.
Create a password with just letters.
d.
Use a programmed speed-dial key when faxing.
e.
Impose disciplinary actions for inappropriate access.
f.
Shred papers containing personal health information (PHI).
ANS: B, D, E, F
When faxing, use programmed speed-dial keys to eliminate the chance of a dialing error and
misdirected information. An automatic sign-off is a safety mechanism that logs a user off the
computer system after a specified period of inactivity. Disciplinary action, including loss of
employment, occurs when nurses or other health care personnel inappropriately access patient
information. All papers containing PHI (e.g., Social Security number, date of birth or age, patient’s
name or address) must be destroyed immediately after you use or fax them. Most agencies have
shredders or locked receptacles for shredding and incineration. Strong passwords use combinations
of letters, numbers, and symbols that are difficult to guess. A firewall is a combination of hardware
and software that protects private network resources (e.g., the information system of the hospital)
from outside hackers, network damage, and theft or misuse of information and should not be
bypassed.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:360-361
OBJ:Identify ways to reduce data entry errors.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is using focused charting. Match the chart entry to the correct letter of the acronym.
a.
Applied oxygen, stayed with patient, and instructed to slow breathing.
b.
Patient states, “feel better,” respirations 16 with O2 saturations 96%.
c.
Patient states, “can’t catch my breath and chest hurts.” Confused.
1.D
2.A
3.R
1.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:363-364
OBJ:Describe the different methods used in record keeping.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
2.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:363-364
OBJ:Describe the different methods used in record keeping.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
3.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:363-364
OBJ:Describe the different methods used in record keeping.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
Chapter 27: Patient Safety and Quality
Chapter 27: Patient Safety and Quality
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A home health nurse is performing a home assessment for safety. Which comment by the patient
will cause the nurse to follow up?
a.
“Every December is the time to change batteries on the carbon monoxide detector.”
b.
“I will schedule an appointment with a chimney inspector next week.”
c.
“If I feel dizzy when using the heater, I need to have it inspected.”
d.
“When it is cold outside in the winter, I will use a nonvented furnace.”
ANS: D
Using a nonvented heater introduces carbon monoxide into the environment and decreases the
available oxygen for human consumption and the nurse should follow up to correct this behavior.
Checking the chimney and heater, changing the batteries on the detector, and following up on
symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and fatigue are all statements that are safe and appropriate
and need no follow-up.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:374
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
2. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient admitted with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to
food poisoning. The nurse completes the health history. Which priority concern will require
collaboration with social services to address the patient’s health care needs?
a.
The electricity was turned off 3 days ago.
b.
The water comes from the county water supply.
c.
A son and family recently moved into the home.
d.
This home is not furnished with a microwave oven.
ANS: A
Electricity is needed for refrigeration of food, and lack of electricity could have contributed to the
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to food poisoning. This discussion about the patient’s electrical
needs can be referred to social services. Foods that are inadequately prepared or stored or subject
to unsanitary conditions increase the patient’s risk for infections and food poisoning, and an
assessment should include storage practices. The water supply, the increased number of individuals
in the home, and not having a microwave may or may not be concerns but do not pertain to the
current health care needs of this patient.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:374 | 381 | 388
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
3. The patient has been diagnosed with a respiratory illness and reports shortness of breath. The
nurse adjusts the temperature to facilitate the comfort of the patient. At which temperature range will
the nurse set the thermostat?
a.
60° to 64° F
b.
65° to 75° F
c.
15° to 17° C
d.
25° to 28° C
ANS: B
A person’s comfort zone is usually between 18.3° and 23.9° C (65° and 75° F). The other ranges are
too low or too high and do not reflect the average person’s comfort zone.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:374
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4. A homeless adult patient presents to the emergency department. The nurse obtains the following
vital signs: temperature 94.8° F, blood pressure 106/56, apical pulse 58, and respiratory rate 12.
Which vital sign should the nurse address immediately?
a.
Respiratory rate
b.
Temperature
c.
Apical pulse
d.
Blood pressure
ANS: B
The temperature indicates the patient is experiencing hypothermia. Homeless individuals are more
at risk for hypothermia. While all the vital signs are low, the most critical vital sign at this time is the
temperature.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:374
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
5. A nurse is teaching the patient and family about wound care. Which technique will the nurse teach
to best prevent transmission of pathogens?
a.
Wash hands
b.
Wash wound
c.
Wear gloves
d.
Wear eye protection
ANS: A
One of the most effective methods for limiting the transmission of pathogens is the medically aseptic
practice of hand hygiene. The most common means of transmission of pathogens is by the hands.
While washing the wound is needed, the best method to prevent transmission is hand hygiene.
Wearing gloves and possibly eye protection help protect the nurse, but handwashing is best for
limiting the transmission of pathogens.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:375
OBJ: Discuss methods to reduce physical hazards and the transmission of pathogens.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
6. The nurse is monitoring for Never Events. Which finding indicates the nurse will report a Never
Event?
a.
No blood incompatibility occurs with a blood transfusion.
b.
A surgical sponge is left in the patient’s incision.
c.
Pulmonary embolism after lung surgery
d.
Stage II pressure ulcer
ANS: B
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services names select serious reportable events as Never
Events (i.e., adverse events that should never occur in a health care setting). A surgical sponge left
in a patient’s incision is a Never Event. No blood incompatibility reaction is safe practice. Pulmonary
embolism after certain orthopedic procedures is like a total knee and hip replacement. Stage III and
IV pressure ulcers are Never Events.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:377-378
OBJ: Discuss the importance of consensus standards for public reporting of patient safety events.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
7. The nurse discovers a patient on the floor. The patient states that he fell out of bed. The nurse
assesses the patient and places the patient back in bed. Which action should the nurse take next?
a.
Do nothing, no harm has occurred.
b.
Notify the health care provider.
c.
Complete an incident report.
d.
Assess the patient.
ANS: B
Report immediately to physician or health care provider if the patient sustains a fall or an injury. The
nurse must provide safe care, and doing nothing is not safe care. The scenario indicates the nurse
has already assessed the patient. After the patient has stabilized, completing an incident report
would be the last step in the process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:399
OBJ: Define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
8. When making rounds the nurse observes a purple wristband on a patient’s wrist. How will the
nurse interpret this finding?
a.
The patient is allergic to certain medications or foods.
b.
The patient has do not resuscitate preferences.
c.
The patient has a high risk for falls.
d.
The patient is at risk for seizures.
ANS: B
In 2008 the American Hospital Association issued an advisory recommending that hospitals
standardize wristband colors: red for patient allergies, yellow for fall risk, and purple for do not
resuscitate preferences. Purple does not indicate seizures.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:390
OBJ: Define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
9. A nurse reviews the history of a newly admitted patient. Which finding will alert the nurse that the
patient is at risk for falls?
a.
55 years old
b.
20/20 vision
c.
Urinary continence
d.
Orthostatic hypotension
ANS: D
Numerous factors increase the risk of falls, including a history of falling, being age 65 or over,
reduced vision, orthostatic hypotension, lower extremity weakness, gait and balance problems,
urinary incontinence, improper use of walking aids, and the effects of various medications (e.g.,
anticonvulsants, hypnotics, sedatives, certain analgesics).
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:375 | 388
OBJ: Describe assessment activities designed to identify a patient’s physical, psychosocial, and
cognitive status as it pertains to his or her safety. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
10. The nurse is assessing a patient for lead poisoning. Which patient is the nurse most likely
assessing?
a.
Young infant
b.
Toddler
c.
Preschooler
d.
Adolescent
ANS: B
The incidence of lead poisoning is highest in late infancy and toddlerhood. Children at this stage
explore the environment and, because of their increased level of oral activity, put objects in their
mouths. Young infant is too young. A preschooler and an adolescent are too old.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:375-376
OBJ:Discuss the specific risks to safety related to developmental age.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. A nurse is teaching a community group of school-aged parents about safety. Which safety item
is most important for the nurse to include in the teaching session?
a.
Proper fit of a bicycle helmet
b.
Proper fit of soccer shin guards
c.
Proper fit of swimming goggles
d.
Proper fit of baseball sliding shorts
ANS: A
Head injuries are a major cause of death, with bicycle accidents being one of the major causes of
such injuries. Proper fit of the helmet helps to decrease head injuries resulting from these bicycle
accidents. Goggles, shin guards, and sliding shorts are important sports safety equipment and
should fit properly, but they do not protect from this leading cause of death.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:376
OBJ:Discuss the specific risks to safety related to developmental age.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. The nurse is presenting an educational session on safety for parents of adolescents. Which
information will the nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
Increased aggressiveness and blood spots on clothing may indicate substance abuse.
b.
Increased aggressiveness is an environmental clue that may indicate an adolescent is abusing.
c.
Adolescents need information about the effects of uncoordination on accidents.
d.
Adolescents need to be reminded to use seat belts primarily on long trips.
ANS: A
Increased aggressiveness (psychosocial clue) and blood spots on clothing (environmental clue) may
indicate substance abuse. School-age children are often uncoordinated. Seat belts should be used
all the time. In fact, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:376
OBJ:Discuss the specific risks to safety related to developmental age.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. The nurse is discussing about threats to adult safety with a college group. Which statement by a
group member indicates understanding of the topic?
a.
“Smoking even at parties is not good for my body.”
b.
“Our campus is safe; we leave our dorms unlocked all the time.”
c.
“As long as I have only two drinks, I can still be the designated driver.”
d.
“I am young, so I can work nights and go to school with 2 hours’ sleep.”
ANS: A
Lifestyle choices frequently affect adult safety. Smoking conveys great risk for pulmonary and
cardiovascular disease. It is prudent to secure belongings. When an individual has been determined
to be the designated driver, that individual does not consume alcohol, beer, or wine. Sleep is
important no matter the age of the individual and is important for rest and integration of learning.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:376 | 387
OBJ:Discuss the specific risks to safety related to developmental age.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. The nurse is teaching a group of older adults at an assisted-living facility about age-related
physiological changes affecting safety. Which question would be most important for the nurse to ask
this group?
a.
“Are you able to hear the tornado sirens in your area?”
b.
“Are you able to read your favorite book?”
c.
“Are you able to taste spices like before?”
d.
“Are you able to open a jar of pickles?”
ANS: A
The ability to hear safety alerts and seek shelter is imperative to life safety. Decreased hearing
acuity alters the ability to hear emergency vehicle sirens. Natural disasters such as floods, tsunamis,
hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires are major causes of death and injury. Although age-related
changes may cause a decrease in sight that affects reading, and although tasting is impaired and
opening jars as arthritis sets in are important to patients and to those caring for them, being able to
hear safety alerts is the most important.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:375
OBJ:Discuss the specific risks to safety related to developmental age.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. The nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient. Which behavior alerts the nurse to consider the
need for a restraint?
a.
The patient refuses to call for help to go to the bathroom.
b.
The patient continues to remove the nasogastric tube.
c.
The patient gets confused regarding the time at night.
d.
The patient does not sleep and continues to ask for items.
ANS: B
Patients who are confused, disoriented, and wander or repeatedly fall or try to remove medical
devices (e.g., oxygen equipment, IV lines, or dressings) often require the temporary use of restraints
to keep them safe. Restraints can be used to prevent interruption of therapy such as traction, IV
infusions, NG tube feeding, or Foley catheterization. Refusing to call for help, although unsafe, is not
a reason for restraint. Getting confused at night regarding the time or not sleeping and bothering the
staff to ask for items is not a reason for restraint.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:391
OBJ: Describe assessment activities designed to identify a patient’s physical, psychosocial, and
cognitive status as it pertains to his or her safety. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
16. The nurse is trying to use alternatives rather than restrain a patient. Which finding will cause the
nurse to determine the alternative is working?
a.
The patient continues to get up from the chair at the nurses’ station.
b.
The patient gets restless when the sitter leaves for lunch.
c.
The patient folds three washcloths over and over.
d.
The patient apologizes for being “such a bother.”
ANS: C
Restraint alternatives include more frequent observations, social interaction such as involvement of
family during visitation, frequent reorientation, regular exercise, and the introduction of familiar and
meaningful stimuli (e.g., involve in hobbies such as knitting or crocheting or looking at family photos)
within the environment or folding washcloths. Getting up constantly can be cause for concern.
Apologizing is not an alternative to restraints. Getting restless when the sitter leaves indicates the
alternative is not working.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:391
OBJ: Describe assessment activities designed to identify a patient’s physical, psychosocial, and
cognitive status as it pertains to his or her safety. TOP: Evaluation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
17. The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly becomes confused and tries to remove an
intravenous (IV) infusion. Which priority action will the nurse take?
a.
Assess the patient.
b.
Gather restraint supplies.
c.
Try alternatives to restraint.
d.
Call the health care provider for a restraint order.
ANS: A
When a patient becomes suddenly confused, the priority is to assess the patient, to identify the
reason for change in behavior, and to try to eliminate the cause. If interventions and alternatives are
exhausted, the nurse working with the health care provider may determine the need for restraints.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:380 | 403
OBJ: Describe assessment activities designed to identify a patient’s physical, psychosocial, and
cognitive status as it pertains to his or her safety. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
18. The nurse is monitoring for the four categories of risk that have been identified in the health care
environment. Which examples will alert the nurse that these safety risks are occurring?
a. Tile floors, cold food, scratchy linen, and noisy alarms
b. Dirty floors, hallways blocked, medication room locked, and alarms set
c. Carpeted floors, ice machine empty, unlocked supply cabinet, and call light in reach
d. Wet floors unmarked, patient pinching fingers in door, failure to use lift for patient, and alarms not functioning properly
ANS: D
Specific risks to a patient’s safety within the health care environment include falls, patient-inherent
accidents, procedure-related accidents, and equipment-related accidents. Wet floors contribute to
falls, pinching finger in door is patient inherent, failure to use the lift is procedure related, and an
alarm not functioning properly is equipment related. Tile floors and carpeted or dirty floors do not
necessarily contribute to falls. Cold food, ice machine empty, and hallways blocked are not patientinherent issues in the hospital setting but are more of patient satisfaction, infection control, or fire
safety issues. Scratchy linen, unlocked supply cabinet, and medication room locked are not
procedure-related accidents. These are patient satisfaction issues and control of supply issues and
are examples of actually following a procedure correctly. Noisy alarms, call light within reach, and
alarms set are not equipment-related accidents but are examples of following a procedure correctly.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:379
OBJ: Describe the four categories of safety risks in a health care agency.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
19. Which activity will cause the nurse to monitor for equipment-related accidents?
a.
Uses a patient-controlled analgesic pump
b.
Uses a computer-based documentation record
c.
Uses a measuring device that measures urine
d.
Uses a manual medication-dispensing device
ANS: A
Accidents that are equipment related result from the malfunction, disrepair, or misuse of equipment
or from an electrical hazard. To avoid rapid infusion of IV fluids, all general-use and patientcontrolled analgesic pumps need to have free-flow protection devices. Measuring devices used by
the nurse to measure urine, computer documentation, and manual dispensing devices can break or
malfunction but are not used directly on a patient and are considered procedure-related accidents.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:379
OBJ: Describe the four categories of safety risks in a health care agency.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
20. A patient is admitted and is placed on fall precautions. The nurse teaches the patient and family
about fall precautions. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Check on the patient once a shift.
b.
Encourage visitors in the early evening.
c.
Place all four side rails in the “up” position.
d.
Keep the patient on fall risk until discharge.
ANS: D
A fall-reduction program includes a fall risk assessment of every patient, conducted on admission
and routinely (see hospital policy) until a patient’s discharge. The timing of visitors would not affect
falls. All four side rails are considered a restraint and can contribute to falling. Individuals on high risk
for fall alerts should be checked frequently, at least every hour.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:390-391
OBJ: Describe the four categories of safety risks in a health care agency.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
21. A nurse is inserting a urinary catheter. Which technique will the nurse use to prevent a
procedure-related accident?
a.
Pathogenic asepsis
b.
Medical asepsis
c.
Surgical asepsis
d.
Clean asepsis
ANS: C
The potential for infection is reduced when surgical asepsis is used for sterile dressing changes or
any invasive procedure such as insertion of a urinary catheter. Pathogenic and clean asepsis are not
types of asepsis. Medical asepsis is not sterile.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:379
OBJ: Discuss methods to reduce physical hazards and the transmission of pathogens.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
22. A nurse is providing care to a patient. Which action indicates the nurse is following the National
Patient Safety Goals?
a.
Identifies patient with one identifier before transporting to x-ray department
b.
Initiates an intravenous (IV) catheter using clean technique on the first try
c.
Uses medication bar coding when administering medications
d.
Obtains vital signs to place on a surgical patient’s chart
ANS: C
One of the National Patient Safety Goals is to use medicines safely. For example, proper
preparation and administration of medications, use of patient and medication bar coding, and “smart”
intravenous (IV) pumps reduce medication errors. Identifying patients correctly is a national patient
safety goal, and two identifiers are needed, not one. Another goal is to prevent infection; starting an
IV should be a sterile technique, not a clean technique. While obtaining vital signs is a component of
safe care, it does not meet a national patient safety goal.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:377
OBJ: Define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
23. During the admission assessment, the nurse assesses the patient for fall risk. Which finding will
alert the nurse to an increased risk for falls?
a.
The patient is oriented.
b.
The patient takes a hypnotic.
c.
The patient walks 2 miles a day.
d.
The patient recently became widowed.
ANS: B
Numerous factors increase the risk of falls, including a history of falling and the effects of various
medications such as anticonvulsants, hypnotics, sedatives, and certain analgesics. Being oriented
will decrease risk for falls while disorientation will increase the risk of falling. Walking has many
benefits, including increasing strength, which would be beneficial in decreasing risk. Becoming
widowed would increase stress and may affect concentration but is not a great risk.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:375 | 395
OBJ: Describe the four categories of safety risks in a health care agency.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
24. A patient may need restraints. Which task can the nurse delegate to a nursing assistive
personnel?
a.
Determining the need for restraints
b.
Assessing the patient’s orientation
c.
Obtaining an order for a restraint
d.
Applying the restraint
ANS: D
The application and routine checking of a restraint can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel.
The skill of assessing a patient’s behavior, orientation to the environment, need for restraints, and
appropriate use cannot be delegated. A nurse must obtain an order from a health care provider.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:399
OBJ: Define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
25. A patient has an ankle restraint applied. Upon assessment the nurse finds the toes a light blue
color. Which action will the nurse take next?
a.
Remove the restraint.
b.
Place a blanket over the feet.
c.
Immediately do a complete head-to-toe neurologic assessment.
d.
Take the patient’s blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiratory rate.
ANS: A
If the patient has altered neurovascular status of an extremity such as cyanosis, pallor, and coldness
of skin or complains of tingling, pain, or numbness, remove the restraint immediately and notify the
health care provider. Light blue is cyanosis, indicating the restraints are too tight, not that the patient
is cold and needs a blanket. A complete head-to-toe neurological assessment is not needed at this
time. The nurse can take vital signs after the restraint is removed.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:403
OBJ:Identify the factors to assess when a patient is in restraints.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
26. The emergency department has been notified of a potential bioterrorism attack. Which action by
the nurse is priority?
a.
Monitor for specific symptoms.
b.
Manage all patients using standard precautions.
c.
Transport patients quickly and efficiently through the elevators.
d.
Prepare for post-traumatic stress associated with this bioterrorism attack.
ANS: B
Manage all patients with suspected or confirmed bioterrorism-related illnesses using standard
precautions. For certain diseases, additional precautions may be necessary. The early signs of a
bioterrorism-related illness often include nonspecific symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
skin rash, fever, confusion) that may persist for several days before the onset of more severe
disease. Limit the transport and movement of patients to movement that is essential for treatment
and care. Psychosocial concerns (post-traumatic stress) are important but are not the first priority at
this moment.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:381 | 394
OBJ: Discuss methods to reduce physical hazards and the transmission of pathogens.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
27. The patient is confused, is trying to get out of bed, and is pulling at the intravenous infusion
tubing. Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse add to the care plan?
a.
Impaired home maintenance
b.
Deficient knowledge
c.
Risk for poisoning
d.
Risk for injury
ANS: D
The patient’s behaviors support the nursing diagnosis of Risk for injury. The patient is confused, is
pulling at the intravenous line, and is trying to climb out of bed. Injury could result if the patient falls
out of bed or begins to bleed from a pulled line. Nothing in the scenario indicates that this patient
lacks knowledge or is at risk for poisoning. Nothing in the scenario refers to the patient’s home
maintenance.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:381-382
OBJ:Identify relevant nursing diagnoses associated with risks to safety.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
28. A confused patient is restless and continues to try to remove the oxygen cannula and urinary
catheter. What is the priority nursing diagnosis and intervention to implement for this patient?
a.
Risk for injury: Check on patient every 15 minutes.
b.
Risk for suffocation: Place “Oxygen in Use” sign on door.
c.
Disturbed body image: Encourage patient to express concerns about body.
d.
Deficient knowledge: Explain the purpose of oxygen therapy and the urinary catheter.
ANS: A
The priority nursing diagnosis is Risk for injury. This patient could cause harm to self by interrupting
the oxygen therapy or by damaging the urethra by pulling the urinary catheter out. Before restraining
a patient, it is important to implement and exhaust alternatives to restraint. Alternatives can include
more frequent observations. This patient may have deficient knowledge; educating the patient about
treatments could be considered as an alternative to restraints. However, the nursing diagnosis of
highest priority is risk for injury. This scenario does not indicate that the patient has a disturbed body
image or that the patient is at risk for suffocation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:381-382
OBJ: Develop a nursing care plan for patients whose safety is threatened.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
29. The patient applies sequential compression devices after going to the bathroom. The nurse
checks the patient’s application of the devices and finds that they have been put on upside down.
Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse add to the patient’s plan of care?
a.
Risk for falls
b.
Deficient knowledge
c.
Risk for suffocation
d.
Impaired physical mobility
ANS: B
The patient has a knowledge need and requires instruction regarding the device and its purpose and
procedure. The nurse will intervene by teaching the patient about the sequential compression device
and instructing the patient to call for assistance when getting up to go to the bathroom in the future,
so that the nurse may assist with removal and proper reapplication. No data support a risk for falls,
impaired physical mobility, or suffocation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:382
OBJ:Identify relevant nursing diagnoses associated with risks to safety.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
30. The nurse enters the patient’s room and notices a small fire in the headlight above the patient’s
bed. In which order will the nurse perform the steps, beginning with the first one?
1. Pull the alarm.
2. Remove the patient.
3. Use the fire extinguisher.
4. Close doors and windows.
a.
2, 1, 4, 3
b.
1, 2, 4, 3
c.
1, 2, 3, 4
d.
2, 1, 3, 4
ANS: A
Nurses use the mnemonic RACE to set priorities in case of fire. The steps are as follows: Rescue
and remove all patients in immediate danger; Activate the alarm; Confine the fire by closing doors
and windows; and Extinguish the fire using an appropriate extinguisher.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:392
OBJ: Define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
31. The nurse is providing information regarding safety and accidental poisoning to a grandparent
who will be taking custody of a 1-year-old grandchild. Which comment by the grandparent will cause
the nurse to intervene?
a.
“The number for poison control is 800-222-1222.”
b.
“Never induce vomiting if my grandchild drinks bleach.”
c.
“I should call 911 if my grandchild loses consciousness.”
d.
“If my grandchild eats a plant, I should provide syrup of ipecac.”
ANS: D
The administration of ipecac syrup or induction of vomiting is no longer recommended for routine
home treatment of poisoning. The nurse must intervene to provide additional teaching. All the rest
are correct and do not require follow up. The poison control number is 800-222-1222. After a caustic
substance such as bleach has been drunk, do not induce vomiting. This can cause further burning
and injury as the substance is eliminated. Loss of consciousness associated with poisoning requires
calling 911.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:390
OBJ:Describe nursing interventions specific to a patient’s age for reducing risks of falls, fires,
poisonings, and electrical hazards.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
32. A home health nurse is assessing a family’s home after the birth of an infant. A toddler also lives
in the home. Which finding will cause the nurse to follow up?
a.
Plastic grocery bags are neatly stored under the counter.
b.
Electric outlets are covered in all rooms.
c.
No bumper pads are in the crib.
d.
Crib slats are 5 cm apart.
ANS: A
Plastic grocery bags increase the risk for suffocation. The nurse will follow up with instructions to
remove or keep locked or out of reach. All the rest are correct and do not require follow-up. Electrical
outlets should be covered to reduce electrical shock. Bumper pads are not used in the crib to
prevent suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment. Crib slats should be less than 6 cm apart.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:385-386
OBJ:Discuss the specific risks to safety related to developmental age.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
33. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A 56-year-old patient with oxygen with a lighter on the bedside table
b.
A 56-year-old patient with oxygen using an electric razor for grooming
c.
A 1-month-old infant looking at a shiny, round battery just out of arm’s reach
d.
A 1-month-old infant with a pacifier that has no string around the baby’s neck
ANS: B
The nurse will see the patient shaving with an electric razor first as this is an actual problem. Do not
use oxygen around electrical equipment or flammable products. A lighter on the bedside table and a
shiny, round battery are potential problems, not actual. Plus, it would be hard, almost impossible, for
a 1 month old to actually grab the battery when it is out of arm’s reach. A baby should use a pacifier
without strings.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:387-388
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
34. A home health nurse is teaching a family to prevent electrical shock. Which information will the
nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
Run wires under the carpet.
b.
Disconnect items before cleaning.
c.
Grasp the cord when unplugging items.
d.
Use masking tape to secure cords to the floor.
ANS: B
A guideline to prevent electrical shock is to disconnect items before cleaning. Do not run wires under
carpeting. Grasp the plug, not the cord, when unplugging items. Use electrical tape to secure the
cord to the floor, preferably against baseboards.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:389
OBJ:Describe nursing interventions specific to a patient’s age for reducing risks of falls, fires,
poisonings, and electrical hazards.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
35. The nurse has placed a yellow armband on a 70-year-old patient. Which observation by the
nurse will indicate the patient has an understanding of this action?
a.
The patient removes the armband to bathe.
b.
The patient wears the red nonslip footwear.
c.
The patient insists on taking a “water” pill in the evening.
d.
The patient who is allergic to penicillin asks the name of a new medicine.
ANS: B
A yellow armband is an alert for high risk of falls. Red nonslip footwear helps to grip the floor and
decreases the chance of falling. The communication armband should stay in place and should not
be removed, so that all members of the interdisciplinary team have the information about the high
risk for falls. A red armband indicates an allergy. Give diuretics (“water” pill) in the morning to
decrease risk of falls during the night—when most falls occur.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:390
OBJ: Describe nursing interventions specific to a patient’s age for reducing risks of falls, fires,
poisonings, and electrical hazards. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
36. An older-adult patient is using a wheelchair to attend a physical therapy session. Which action by
the nurse indicates safe transport of the patient?
a.
Positions patient’s buttocks close to the front of wheelchair seat
b.
Backs wheelchair into elevator, leading with large rear wheels first
c.
Places locked wheelchair on same side of bed as patient’s weaker side
d.
Unlocks wheelchair for easy maneuverability when patient is transferring
ANS: B
A correct action when using a wheelchair is to back wheelchair into an elevator, leading with large
rear wheels first. A patient’s buttocks should be well back into the seat. A locked wheelchair should
be placed on a patient’s strong or unaffected side. Brakes should be securely locked when a patient
is transferring.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:398
OBJ: Define the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A home health nurse is assessing the home for fire safety. Which information from the family will
cause the nurse to intervene? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Smoking in bed helps me relax and fall asleep.
b.
We never leave candles burning when we are gone.
c.
We use the same space heater my grandparents used.
d.
We use the RACE method when using the fire extinguisher.
e.
There is a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and garage workshop.
ANS: A, C, D
Incorrect information will cause the nurse to intervene. Accidental home fires typically result from
smoking in bed. Advise families to only purchase newer model space heaters that have all of the
current safety features. The PASS method is used for fire extinguishers. All the rest are correct and
do not require follow-up. Candles should not be left burning when no one is home. Keep a fire
extinguisher in the kitchen, near the furnace, and in the garage.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:375 | 389
OBJ: Describe environmental hazards that pose risks to a person’s safety.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
2. The nurse is caring for an older adult who presents to the clinic after a fall. The nurse reviews fall
prevention in the home. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Water outdoor plants with a nozzle and hose.
b.
Walk to the mailbox in the summer.
c.
Encourage yearly eye examinations.
d.
Use bathtubs without safety strips.
e.
Keep pathways clutter free.
ANS: B, C, E
Walking to the mailbox in summer provides exercise when pathways are not icy and slick.
Encourage annual vision and hearing examinations. Pathways that are clutter free reduce fall risk.
Using a hose to water plants and using tubs without safety strips are all items the patient should
avoid to help in the prevention of falls in the home.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:377 | 387
OBJ:Describe nursing interventions specific to a patient’s age for reducing risks of falls, fires,
poisonings, and electrical hazards.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
3. A patient requires restraints after alternatives are not successful. The nurse is reviewing the
orders. Which findings indicate to the nurse the order is legal and appropriate for safe care? (Select
all that apply.)
a.
Health care provider orders restraints prn (as needed).
b.
Health care provider writes the type and location of the restraint.
c.
Health care provider renews orders for restraints every 24 hours.
d.
Health care provider performs a face-to-face assessment prior to the order.
e.
Health care provider specifies the duration and circumstances under which the restraint will be used.
ANS: B, D, E
A physician’s/health care provider’s order is required, based on a face-to-face assessment of the
patient. The order must be current, state the type and location of restraint, and specify the duration
and circumstances under which it will be used. These orders need to be renewed within a specific
time frame according to the policy of the agency. In hospital settings each original restraint order and
renewal is limited to 8 hours for adults, 2 hours for ages 9 through 17, and 1 hour for children under
age 9. Restraints are not to be ordered prn (as needed).
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:391-392
OBJ:Identify the factors to assess when a patient is in restraints.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse is performing the “Timed Get Up and Go (TUG)” assessment. Which actions will the
nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Ranks a patient as high risk for falls after patients takes 18 seconds to complete
b.
Teaches patient to rise from straight back chair using arms for support
c.
Instructs the patient to walk 10 feet as quickly and safely as possible
d.
Observes for unsteadiness in patient’s gait
e.
Begins counting after the instructions
f.
Allows the patient a practice trial
ANS: C, D, F
The nurse instructs the patient to walk 10 feet (3 m) as quickly and safely as possible and observes
for unsteadiness in the patient’s gait. For accuracy, a patient should have one practice trial that is
not included in the score. Patient taking less than 20 seconds to complete TUG is adequate for
independent mobility. Score over 30 seconds is dependent and at risk for fall. Counting does not
begin after instructions. The patient rises from a straight back chair without using arms for support.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:396
OBJ: Describe assessment activities designed to identify a patient’s physical, psychosocial, and
cognitive status as it pertains to his or her safety. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
5. The nurse is completing an admission history on a new home health patient. The patient has been
experiencing seizures as the result of a recent brain injury. Which interventions should the nurse
utilize for this patient and family? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Demonstrate how to restrain the patient in the event of a seizure.
b.
Instruct the family to move the patient to a bed during a seizure.
c.
Teach the family how to insert a tongue depressor during the seizure.
d.
Discuss with the family steps to take if the seizure does not discontinue.
e.
Instruct the family to reorient and reassure the patient after consciousness is regained.
ANS: D, E
Prolonged or repeated seizures indicate status epilepticus, a medical emergency that requires
intensive monitoring and treatment. Family should know what to do. Family should reorient and
reassure the patient after consciousness is regained. Never force apart a patient’s clenched teeth.
Do not place any objects into patient’s mouth such as fingers, medicine, tongue depressor, or airway
when teeth are clenched. Do not lift patient from floor to bed while seizure is in progress. Do not
restrain patient; hold limbs loosely if they are flailing. Loosen clothing.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:393-394
OBJ: Develop a nursing care plan for patients whose safety is threatened.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
6. The nurse is assessing a patient who reports a previous fall and is using the SPLATT acronym.
Which questions will the nurse ask the patient? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Where did you fall?
b.
What time did the fall occur?
c.
What were you doing when you fell?
d.
What types of injuries occurred after the fall?
e.
Did you obtain an electronic safety alert device after the fall?
f.
What are your medical problems that may have caused the fall?
ANS: A, B, C, D
Assess previous falls; using the acronym SPLATT:
Symptoms at time of fall
Previous fall
Location of fall
Activity at time of fall
Time of fall
Trauma after fall
Medical diagnoses and an alert device are not components of SPLATT.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:395
OBJ: Describe assessment activities designed to identify a patient’s physical, psychosocial, and
cognitive status as it pertains to his or her safety. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
7. The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. The unit has been notified of a fire on
an adjacent wing of the hospital. The nurse quickly formulates a plan to keep the patients safe.
Which actions will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Close all doors.
b.
Note evacuation routes.
c.
Note oxygen shut-offs.
d.
Move bedridden patients in their bed.
e.
Wait until the fire department arrives to act.
f.
Use type B fire extinguishers for electrical fires.
ANS: A, B, C, D
Closing all doors helps to contain smoke and fire. Noting the evacuation routes and oxygen shut-offs
is important in case evacuation is needed. You will move bedridden patients from the scene of a fire
by a stretcher, bed, or wheelchair. The nurse cannot wait until the fire department arrives to act.
Type C fire extinguishers are used for electrical fires; type B is used for flammable liquids.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:392-393
OBJ: Describe the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote safety in a health care
setting. TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
8. The nurse is caring for a patient in restraints. Which essential information will the nurse document
in the patient’s medical record to provide safe care? (Select all that apply.)
a.
One family member has gone to lunch.
b.
Patient is placed in bilateral wrist restraints at 0815.
c.
Bilateral radial pulses present, 2+, hands warm to touch
d.
Straps with quick-release buckle attached to bed side rails
e.
Attempts to distract the patient with television are unsuccessful.
f.
Released from restraints, active range-of-motion exercises completed
ANS: B, C, E, F
Proper documentation, including the behaviors that necessitated the application of restraints, the
procedure used in restraining, the condition of the body part restrained (e.g., circulation to hand),
and the evaluation of the patient response, is essential. Record nursing interventions, including
restraint alternatives tried, in nurses’ notes. Record purpose for restraint, type and location of
restraint used, time applied and discontinued, times restraint was released, and routine observations
(e.g., skin color, pulses, sensation, vital signs, and behavior) in nurses’ notes and flow sheets.
Straps are not attached to side rails. Comments about the activities of one family member are not
necessarily required in nursing documentation of restraints.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:392 | 403
OBJ:Identify the factors to assess when a patient is in restraints.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
Chapter 28: Immobility
Chapter 28: Immobility
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is assessing body alignment. What is the nurse monitoring?
a.
The relationship of one body part to another while in different positions
b.
The coordinated efforts of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems
c.
The force that occurs in a direction to oppose movement
d.
The inability to move about freely
ANS: A
The terms body alignment and posture are similar and refer to the positioning of the joints, tendons,
ligaments, and muscles while standing, sitting, and lying. Body alignment means that the individual’s
center of gravity is stable. Body mechanics is a term used to describe the coordinated efforts of the
musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Friction is a force that occurs in a direction to oppose
movement. Immobility is the inability to move about freely.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:407-408
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
2. A nurse is providing range of motion to the shoulder and must perform external rotation. Which
action will the nurse take?
a.
Moves patient’s arm in a full circle
b.
Moves patient’s arm cross the body as far as possible
c.
Moves patient’s arm behind body, keeping elbow straight
d.
Moves patient’s arm until thumb is upward and lateral to head with elbow flexed
ANS: D
External rotation: With elbow flexed, move arm until thumb is upward and lateral to
head. Circumduction: Move arm in full circle (Circumduction is combination of all movements of balland-socket joint.) Adduction: Lower arm sideways and across body as far as
possible. Hyperextension: Move arm behind body, keeping elbow straight.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:415
OBJ: Compare and contrast active and passive range-of-motion exercises.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
3. A nurse is providing passive range of motion (ROM) for a patient with impaired mobility. Which
technique will the nurse use for each movement?
a.
Each movement is repeated 5 times by the patient.
b.
Each movement is performed until the patient experiences pain.
c.
Each movement is completed quickly and smoothly by the nurse.
d.
Each movement is moved just to the point of resistance by the nurse.
ANS: D
Passive ROM exercises are performed by the nurse. Carry out movements slowly and smoothly, just
to the point of resistance; ROM should not cause pain. Never force a joint beyond its capacity. Each
movement needs to be repeated 5 times during the session. The patient moves all joints through
ROM unassisted in active ROM.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:427 | 430
OBJ: Compare and contrast active and passive range-of-motion exercises.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4. A nurse is performing passive range of motion (ROM) and splinting on an at-risk patient. Which
finding will indicate goal achievement for the nurse’s action?
a.
Prevention of atelectasis
b.
Prevention of renal calculi
c.
Prevention of pressure ulcers
d.
Prevention of joint contractures
ANS: D
Goal achievement for passive ROM is prevention of joint contractures. Contractures develop in joints
not moved periodically through their full ROM. ROM exercises reduce the risk of contractures.
Researchers noted that prompt use of splinting with prescribed ROM exercises reduced contractures
and improved active range of joint motion in affected lower extremities. Deep breathing and
coughing and using an incentive spirometer will help prevent atelectasis. Adequate hydration helps
prevent renal calculi and urinary tract infections. Interventions aimed at prevention of pressure ulcers
include positioning, skin care, and the use of therapeutic devices to relieve pressure.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:412 | 414
OBJ: Evaluate patient outcomes as a result of a nursing plan for improving or maintaining mobility.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
5. A nurse is preparing to reposition a patient. Which task can the nurse delegate to the nursing
assistive personnel?
a.
Determining the level of comfort
b.
Changing the patient’s position
c.
Identifying immobility hazards
d.
Assessing circulation
ANS: B
The skill of moving and positioning patients in bed can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel
(NAP). The nurse is responsible for assessing the patient’s level of comfort and for any hazards of
immobility and assessing circulation.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:432
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
6. A nurse is preparing to assess a patient for orthostatic hypotension. Which piece of equipment will
the nurse obtain to assess for this condition?
a.
Thermometer
b.
Elastic stockings
c.
Blood pressure cuff
d.
Sequential compression devices
ANS: C
A blood pressure cuff is needed. Orthostatic hypotension is a drop of blood pressure greater than 20
mm Hg in systolic pressure or 10 mm Hg in diastolic pressure and symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, tachycardia, pallor, or fainting when the patient changes from the supine to
standing position. A thermometer is used to assess for fever. Elastic stockings and sequential
compression devices are used to prevent thrombus.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:411
OBJ: Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function associated with immobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
7. The patient has been in bed for several days and needs to be ambulated. Which action will the
nurse take first?
a.
Maintain a narrow base of support.
b.
Dangle the patient at the bedside.
c.
Encourage isometric exercises.
d.
Suggest a high-calcium diet.
ANS: B
To prevent injury, nurses implement interventions that reduce or eliminate the effects of orthostatic
hypotension. Mobilize the patient as soon as the physical condition allows, even if this only involves
dangling at the bedside or moving to a chair. A wide base of support increases balance. Isometric
exercises (i.e., activities that involve muscle tension without muscle shortening) have no beneficial
effect on preventing orthostatic hypotension, but they improve activity tolerance. A high-calcium diet
can help with osteoporosis but can be detrimental in an immobile patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:424
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
8. A nurse reviews an immobilized patient’s laboratory results and discovers hypercalcemia. Which
condition will the nurse monitor for most closely in this patient?
a.
Hypostatic pneumonia
b.
Renal calculi
c.
Pressure ulcers
d.
Thrombus formation
ANS: B
Renal calculi are calcium stones that lodge in the renal pelvis or pass through the ureters.
Immobilized patients are at risk for calculi because they frequently have hypercalcemia.
Hypercalcemia does not lead to hypostatic pneumonia, pressure ulcers, or thrombus formation.
Immobility is one cause of hypostatic pneumonia, which is inflammation of the lung from stasis or
pooling of secretions. A pressure ulcer is an impairment of the skin that results from prolonged
ischemia (decreased blood supply) within tissues. A thrombus is an accumulation of platelets, fibrin,
clotting factors, and cellular elements of the blood attached to the interior wall of a vein or artery,
which sometimes occludes the lumen of the vessel.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:411-412
OBJ: Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function associated with immobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
9. A nurse is caring for an immobile patient. Which metabolic alteration will the nurse monitor for in
this patient?
a.
Increased appetite
b.
Increased diarrhea
c.
Increased metabolic rate
d.
Altered nutrient metabolism
ANS: D
Immobility disrupts normal metabolic functioning: decreasing the metabolic rate, altering the
metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; causing fluid, electrolyte, and calcium imbalances;
and causing gastrointestinal disturbances such as decreased appetite and slowing of peristalsis,
leading to constipation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:410
OBJ: Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function associated with immobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
10. A nurse is preparing a care plan for a patient who is immobile. Which psychosocial aspect will
the nurse consider?
a.
Loss of bone mass
b.
Loss of strength
c.
Loss of weight
d.
Loss of hope
ANS: D
Loss of hope is a psychosocial aspect. Patients with restricted mobility may have some depression.
Depression is an affective disorder characterized by exaggerated feelings of sadness, melancholy,
dejection, worthlessness, emptiness, and hopelessness out of proportion to reality. All the rest are
physiological aspects: bone mass, strength, and weight.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:413
OBJ: Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function associated with immobility.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
11. The nurse is preparing to lift a patient. Which action will the nurse take first?
a.
Position a drawsheet under the patient.
b.
Assess weight and determine assistance needs.
c.
Delegate the task to a nursing assistive personnel.
d.
Attempt to manually lift the patient alone before asking for assistance.
ANS: B
When lifting, assess the weight you will lift, and determine the assistance you will need. The nurse
has to assess before positioning a drawsheet or delegating the task. Manual lifting is the last resort,
and it is used when the task at hand does not involve lifting most or all of the patient’s weight; most
facilities have a no-lift policy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:421
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
12. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient who has been diagnosed with a stroke. Which
intervention will the nurse add to the care plan?
a.
Encourage the patient to perform as many self-care activities as possible.
b.
Provide a complete bed bath to promote patient comfort.
c.
Coordinate with occupational therapy for gait training.
d.
Place the patient on bed rest to prevent fatigue.
ANS: A
Nurses should encourage the older-adult patient to perform as many self-care activities as possible,
thereby maintaining the highest level of mobility. Sometimes nurses inadvertently contribute to a
patient’s immobility by providing unnecessary help with activities such as bathing and transferring.
Placing the patient on bed rest without sufficient ambulation leads to loss of mobility and functional
decline, resulting in weakness, fatigue, and increased risk for falls. After a stroke or brain attack, a
patient likely receives gait training from a physical therapist; speech rehabilitation from a speech
therapist; and help from an occupational therapist for ADLs such as dressing, bathing and toileting,
or household chores.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:413
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
13. The nurse is observing the way a patient walks. Which aspect is the nurse assessing?
a.
Activity tolerance
b.
Body alignment
c.
Range of motion
d.
Gait
ANS: D
Gait describes a particular manner or style of walking. Activity tolerance is the type and amount of
exercise or work that a person is able to perform. Body alignment refers to the position of the joints,
tendons, ligaments, and muscles while standing, sitting, and lying. Range of motion is the maximum
amount of movement available at a joint in one of the three planes of the body: sagittal, frontal, or
transverse.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:416
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
14. A nurse is assessing the body alignment of a standing patient. Which finding will the nurse report
as normal?
a.
When observed laterally, the spinal curves align in a reversed “S” pattern.
b.
When observed posteriorly, the hips and shoulders form an “S” pattern.
c.
The arms should be crossed over the chest or in the lap.
d.
The feet should be close together with toes pointed out.
ANS: A
When the patient is observed laterally, the head is erect and the spinal curves are aligned in a
reversed “S” pattern. When observed posteriorly, the shoulders and hips are straight and parallel.
The arms hang comfortably at the sides. The feet are slightly apart to achieve a base of support, and
the toes are pointed forward.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:417
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. The nurse is evaluating the body alignment of a patient in the sitting position. Which observation
by the nurse will indicate a normal finding?
a.
The edge of the seat is in contact with the popliteal space.
b.
Both feet are supported on the floor with ankles flexed.
c.
The body weight is directly on the buttocks only.
d.
The arms hang comfortably at the sides.
ANS: B
Both feet are supported on the floor, and the ankles are comfortably flexed. Body weight is evenly
distributed on the buttocks and thighs. A 1- to 2-inch space is maintained between the edge of the
seat and the popliteal space on the posterior surface of the knee to ensure that no pressure is
placed on the popliteal artery or nerve. The patient’s forearms are supported on the armrest, in the
lap, or on a table in front of the chair.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:417
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. The nurse is assessing body alignment for a patient who is immobilized. Which patient position
will the nurse use?
a.
Supine position
b.
Lateral position
c.
Lateral position with positioning supports
d.
Supine position with no pillow under the patient’s head
ANS: B
Assess body alignment for a patient who is immobilized or bedridden with the patient in the lateral
position, not supine. Remove all positioning supports from the bed except for the pillow under the
head, and support the body with an adequate mattress.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:418
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
17. The nurse is assessing the patient for respiratory complications of immobility. Which action will
the nurse take when assessing the respiratory system?
a.
Inspect chest wall movements primarily during the expiratory cycle.
b.
Auscultate the entire lung region to assess lung sounds.
c.
Focus auscultation on the upper lung fields.
d.
Assess the patient at least every 4 hours.
ANS: B
Auscultate the entire lung region to identify diminished breath sounds, crackles, or wheezes.
Perform a respiratory assessment at least every 2 hours for patients with restricted activity. Inspect
chest wall movements during the full inspiratory-expiratory cycle. Focus auscultation on the
dependent lung fields because pulmonary secretions tend to collect in these lower regions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:419
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. The nurse is assessing an immobile patient for deep vein thromboses (DVTs). Which action will
the nurse take?
a.
Remove elastic stockings every 4 hours.
b.
Measure the calf circumference of both legs.
c.
Lightly rub the lower leg for redness and tenderness.
d.
Dorsiflex the foot while assessing for patient discomfort.
ANS: B
Measure bilateral calf circumference and record it daily as an assessment for DVT. Unilateral
increases in calf circumference are an early indication of thrombosis. Homan’s sign, or calf pain on
dorsiflexion of the foot, is no longer a reliable indicator in assessing for DVT, and it is present in
other conditions. Remove the patient’s elastic stockings and/or sequential compression devices
(SCDs) every 8 hours, and observe the calves for redness, warmth, and tenderness. Instruct the
family, patient, and all health care personnel not to massage the area because of the danger of
dislodging the thrombus.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:419
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A nurse is assessing the skin of an immobilized patient. What will the nurse do?
a.
Assess the skin every 4 hours.
b.
Limit the amount of fluid intake.
c.
Use a standardized tool such as the Braden Scale.
d.
Have special times for inspection so as to not interrupt routine care.
ANS: C
Consistently use a standardized tool, such as the Braden Scale. This identifies patients with a high
risk for impaired skin integrity. Skin assessment can be as often as every hour. Limiting fluids can
lead to dehydration, increasing skin breakdown. Observe the skin often during routine care.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:419
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
20. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient with a diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI).
Upon assessment the nurse finds the patient confused and agitated. How will the nurse interpret
these assessment findings?
a.
These are normal signs of aging.
b.
These are early signs of dementia.
c.
These are purely psychological in origin.
d.
These are common manifestation with UTIs.
ANS: D
The primary symptom of compromised older patients with an acute urinary tract infection or fever is
confusion. Acute confusion in older adults is not normal; a thorough nursing assessment is the
priority. With the diagnosis of urinary tract infection, these are not early signs of dementia and they
are not purely psychological.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:419
OBJ: Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function associated with immobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
21. A patient has damage to the cerebellum. Which disorder is most important for the nurse to
assess?
a.
Imbalance
b.
Hemiplegia
c.
Muscle sprain
d.
Lower extremity paralysis
ANS: A
Damage to the cerebellum causes problems with balance, and motor impairment is directly related
to the amount of destruction of the motor strip. A stroke can lead to hemiplegia. Direct trauma to the
musculoskeletal system results in bruises, contusions, sprains, and fractures. A complete
transection of the spinal cord can lead to lower extremity paralysis.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
22. Which patient will cause the nurse to select a nursing diagnosis of Impaired physical mobilityfor a
care plan?
a.
A patient who is completely immobile
b.
A patient who is not completely immobile
c.
A patient at risk for single-system involvement
d.
A patient who is at risk for multisystem problems
ANS: B
The diagnosis of Impaired physical mobility applies to the patient who has some limitation but is not
completely immobile. The diagnosis of Risk for disuse syndrome applies to the patient who is
immobile and at risk for multisystem problems because of inactivity. Beyond these diagnoses, the list
of potential diagnoses is extensive because immobility affects multiple body systems.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:420
OBJ: Formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
23. The patient has the nursing diagnosis of Impaired physical mobility related to pain in the left
shoulder. Which priority action will the nurse take?
a.
Encourage the patient to do self-care.
b.
Keep the patient as mobile as possible.
c.
Encourage the patient to perform ROM.
d.
Assist the patient with comfort measures.
ANS: D
The diagnosis related to pain requires the nurse to assist the patient with comfort measures so that
the patient is then willing and more able to move. Pain must be controlled so the patient will not be
reluctant to initiate movement. The diagnosis related to reluctance to initiate movement requires
interventions aimed at keeping the patient as mobile as possible and encouraging the patient to
perform self-care and ROM.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:420
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
24. A nurse is developing an individualized plan of care for a patient. Which action is important for
the nurse to take?
a.
Establish goals that are measurable and realistic.
b.
Set goals that are a little beyond the capabilities of the patient.
c.
Use the nurse’s own judgment and not be swayed by family desires.
d.
Explain that without taking alignment risks, there can be no progress.
ANS: A
The nurse must develop an individualized plan of care for each nursing diagnosis and must set goals
that are individualized, realistic, and measurable. The nurse should set realistic expectations for care
and should include the patient and family when possible. The goals focus on preventing problems or
risks to body alignment and mobility.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:421
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
25. Which behavior indicates the nurse is using a team approach when caring for a patient who is
experiencing alterations in mobility?
a.
Delegates assessment of lung sounds to nursing assistive personnel
b.
Becomes solely responsible for modifying activities of daily living
c.
Consults physical therapy for strengthening exercises in the extremities
d.
Involves respiratory therapy for altered breathing from severe anxiety levels
ANS: C
The nurse should collaborate with other health care team members such as physical or occupational
therapists when considering mobility needs. For example, physical therapists are a resource for
planning ROM or strengthening exercises. Nurses often delegate some interventions to nursing
assistive personnel, but assessment of lung sounds is the nurse’s responsibility. Nursing assistive
personnel may turn and position patients, apply elastic stockings, help patients use the incentive
spirometer, etc. Occupational therapists are a resource for planning activities of daily living that
patients need to modify or relearn. A mental health advanced practice nurse or psychologist should
be used for severe anxiety.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:421
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
26. The patient is being admitted to the neurological unit with a diagnosis of stroke. When will the
nurse begin discharge planning?
a.
At the time of admission
b.
The day before the patient is to be discharged
c.
When outpatient therapy will no longer be needed
d.
As soon as the patient’s discharge destination is known
ANS: A
Discharge planning begins when a patient enters the health care system. In anticipation of the
patient’s discharge from an institution, the nurse makes appropriate referrals or consults a case
manager or a discharge planner to ensure that the patient’s needs are met at home. Referrals to
home care or outpatient therapy are often needed. Planning the day before discharge, when
outpatient therapy is no longer needed, and as soon as the discharge destination is known is too
late.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:421
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
27. Which goal is most appropriate for a patient who has had a total hip replacement?
a.
The patient will ambulate briskly on the treadmill by the time of discharge.
b.
The patient will walk 100 feet using a walker by the time of discharge.
c.
The nurse will assist the patient to ambulate in the hall 2 times a day.
d.
The patient will ambulate by the time of discharge.
ANS: B
“The patient will walk 100 feet using a walker by the time of discharge” is individualized, realistic, and
measurable. “Ambulating briskly on a treadmill” is not realistic for this patient. The option that
focuses on the nurse, not the patient, is not a measurable goal; this is an intervention. “The patient
will ambulate by the time of discharge” is not measurable because it does not specify the distance.
Even though we can see that the patient will ambulate, this does not quantify how far.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:421-422
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
28. The nurse is working on an orthopedic rehabilitation unit that requires lifting and positioning of
patients. Which personal injury will the nurse most likely try to prevent?
a.
Arm
b.
Hip
c.
Back
d.
Ankle
ANS: C
Back injuries are often the direct result of improper lifting and bending. The most common back
injury is strain on the lumbar muscle group. While arm, hip, and ankle can occur, they are not as
common as back.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:421
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
29. A nurse is caring for a patient with osteoporosis and lactose intolerance. What will the nurse do?
a.
Encourage dairy products.
b.
Monitor intake of vitamin D.
c.
Increase intake of caffeinated drinks.
d.
Try to do as much as possible for the patient.
ANS: B
Encourage patients at risk to be screened for osteoporosis and assess their diets for calcium and
vitamin D intake. Patients who have lactose intolerance need dietary teaching about alternative
sources of calcium. Caffeine should be decreased. The goal of the patient with osteoporosis is to
maintain independence with ADLs. Assistive ambulatory devices, adaptive clothing, and safety bars
help the patient maintain independence.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:423
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
30. A nurse is providing care to a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A patient with a hip replacement on prolonged bed rest reporting chest pain and dyspnea
b.
A bedridden patient who has a reddened area on the buttocks who needs to be turned
c.
A patient on bed rest who has renal calculi and needs to go to the bathroom
d.
A patient after knee surgery who needs range of motion exercises
ANS: A
A patient on prolonged bed rest will be prone to deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to an
embolus. An embolus can travel through the circulatory system to the lungs and impair circulation
and oxygenation, resulting in tachycardia and shortness of breath. Venous emboli that travel to the
lungs are sometimes life threatening. While the patient with a reddened area needs to be turned, a
patient with renal calculi needing the restroom, and a patient needing range of motion, these are not
as life threatening as the chest pain and dyspnea.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:419
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
31. The patient is immobilized after undergoing hip replacement surgery. Which finding will alert the
nurse to monitor for hemorrhage in this patient?
a.
Thick, tenacious pulmonary secretions
b.
Low-molecular-weight heparin doses
c.
SCDs wrapped around the legs
d.
Elastic stockings (TED hose)
ANS: B
Heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin are the most widely used drugs in the prophylaxis of deep
vein thrombosis. Because bleeding is a potential side effect of these medications, continually assess
the patient for signs of bleeding. Pulmonary secretions that become thick and tenacious are difficult
to remove and are a sign of inadequate hydration or developing pneumonia but not of bleeding.
SCDs consist of sleeves or stockings made of fabric or plastic that are wrapped around the leg and
are secured with Velcro. They decrease venous stasis by increasing venous return through the deep
veins of the legs. They do not usually cause bleeding. Elastic stockings also aid in maintaining
external pressure on the muscles of the lower extremities and in promoting venous return. They do
not usually cause bleeding.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:424
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
32. The nurse needs to move a patient up in bed using a drawsheet. The nurse has another nurse
helping. In which order will the nurses perform the steps, beginning with the first one?
1. Grasp the drawsheet firmly near the patient.
2. Move the patient and drawsheet to the desired position.
3. Position one nurse at each side of the bed.
4. Place the drawsheet under the patient from shoulder to thigh.
5. Place your feet apart with a forward-backward stance.
6. Flex knees and hips and on count of three shift weight from the front to back leg.
a.
1, 4, 5, 6, 3, 2
b.
4, 1, 3, 5, 6, 2
c.
3, 4, 1, 5, 6, 2
d.
5, 6, 3, 1, 4, 2
ANS: C
Assisting a patient up in bed with a drawsheet (two or three nurses): (1) Place the patient supine
with the head of the bed flat. A nurse stands on each side of the bed. (2) Remove the pillow from
under the patient’s head and shoulders and place it at the head of the bed. (3) Turn the patient side
to side to place the drawsheet under the patient, extending it from shoulders to thighs. (4) Return the
patient to the supine position. (5) Fanfold the drawsheet on both sides, with each nurse grasping
firmly near the patient. (6) Nurses place their feet apart with a forward-backward stance. Nurses
should flex knees and hips. On the count of three, nurses should shift their weight from front to back
leg and move the patient and drawsheet to the desired position in the bed.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:433
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
33. The nurse is caring for a patient who needs to be placed in the prone position. Which action will
the nurse take?
a.
Place pillow under the patient’s abdomen after turning.
b.
Turn head toward one side with large, soft pillow.
c.
Position legs flat against bed.
d.
Raise head of bed to 45 degrees.
ANS: A
Placing a pillow under the patient’s abdomen after turning decreases hyperextension of lumbar
vertebrae and strain on lower back; breathing may also be enhanced. Head is turned toward one
side with a small pillow to reduce flexion or hyperextension of cervical vertebrae. Legs should be
supported with pillows to elevate toes and prevent footdrop. Forty-five degrees is the position for
Fowler’s position; prone is on the stomach.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:436
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
34. The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury and notices that the patient’s hips have
a tendency to rotate externally when the patient is supine. Which device will the nurse use to help
prevent injury secondary to this rotation?
a.
Hand rolls
b.
A trapeze bar
c.
A trochanter roll
d.
Hand-wrist splints
ANS: C
A trochanter roll prevents external rotation of the hips when the patient is in a supine position. Hand
rolls maintain the thumb in slight adduction and in opposition to the fingers. Hand-wrist splints are
individually molded for the patient to maintain proper alignment of the thumb and the wrist. The
trapeze bar is a triangular device that hangs down from a securely fastened overhead bar that is
attached to the bedframe. It allows the patient to pull with the upper extremities to raise the trunk off
the bed, to assist in transfer from bed to wheelchair, or to perform upper arm exercises.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:428
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
35. The patient is unable to move self and needs to be pulled up in bed. What will the nurse do to
make this procedure safe?
a.
Place the pillow under the patient’s head and shoulders.
b.
Do by self if the bed is in the flat position.
c.
Place the side rails in the up position.
d.
Use a friction-reducing device.
ANS: D
This is not a one-person task. Helping a patient move up in bed without help from other co-workers
or without the aid of an assistive device (e.g., friction-reducing pad) is not recommended and is not
considered safe for the patient or the nurse. Remove the pillow from under head and shoulders and
place it at the head of the bed to prevent striking the patient’s head against the head of the bed.
When pulling a patient up in bed, the bed should be flat to gain gravity assistance, and the side rails
should be down.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:433
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
36. The nurse is caring for a patient who is immobile and needs to be turned every 2 hours. The
patient has poor lower extremity circulation, and the nurse is concerned about irritation of the
patient’s toes. Which device will the nurse use?
a.
Hand rolls
b.
A foot cradle
c.
A trapeze bar
d.
A trochanter roll
ANS: B
A foot cradle may be used in patients with poor peripheral circulation as a means of reducing
pressure on the tips of a patient’s toes. A trochanter roll prevents external rotation of the hips when
the patient is in a supine position. Hand rolls maintain the thumb in slight adduction and in opposition
to the fingers. The trapeze bar is a triangular device that hangs down from a securely fastened
overhead bar that is attached to the bedframe. It allows the patient to pull with the upper extremities
to raise the trunk off the bed, to assist in transfer from bed to wheelchair, or to perform upper arm
exercises.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:434
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
37. A nurse delegates a position change to a nursing assistive personnel. The nurse instructs the
NAP to place the patient in the lateral position. Which finding by the nurse indicates a correct
outcome?
a.
Patient is lying on side.
b.
Patient is lying on back.
c.
Patient is lying semiprone.
d.
Patient is lying on abdomen.
ANS: A
In the side-lying (or lateral) position the patient rests on the side with the major portion of body
weight on the dependent hip and shoulder. Patients in the supine position rest on their backs. Sims’
position is semiprone. The patient in the prone position lies face or chest down on the abdomen.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:429 | 436
OBJ: Evaluate patient outcomes as a result of a nursing plan for improving or maintaining mobility.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
38. A nurse is evaluating care of an immobilized patient. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Focus on whether the interdisciplinary team is satisfied with the care.
b.
Compare the patient’s actual outcomes with the outcomes in the care plan.
c.
Involve primarily the patient’s family and health care team to determine goal achievement.
d.
Use objective data solely in determining whether interventions have been successful.
ANS: B
From your perspective as the nurse, you are to evaluate outcomes and response to nursing care
and compare the patient’s actual outcomes with the outcomes selected during planning. Ask if the
patient’s expectations (subjective data) of care are being met, and use objective data to determine
the success of interventions. Just as it was important to include the patient during the assessment
and planning phase of the care plan, it is essential to have the patient’s evaluation of the plan of
care, not just the patient’s family and health care team.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:431
OBJ: Evaluate patient outcomes as a result of a nursing plan for improving or maintaining mobility.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
39. A nurse is supervising the logrolling of a patient. To which patient is the nurse most likely
providing care?
a.
A patient with neck surgery
b.
A patient with hypostatic pneumonia
c.
A patient with a total knee replacement
d.
A patient with a Stage IV pressure ulcer
ANS: A
A nurse supervises and aids personnel when there is a health care provider’s order to logroll a
patient. Patients who have suffered from spinal cord injury or are recovering from neck, back, or
spinal surgery often need to keep the spinal column in straight alignment to prevent further injury.
Hypostatic pneumonia, total knee replacement, and Stage IV ulcers do not have to be logrolled.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:437
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
40. The nurse is providing teaching to an immobilized patient with impaired skin integrity about diet.
Which diet will the nurse recommend?
a.
High protein, high calorie
b.
High carbohydrate, low fat
c.
High vitamin A, high vitamin E
d.
Fluid restricted, bland
ANS: A
Because the body needs protein to repair injured tissue and rebuild depleted protein stores, give the
immobilized patient a high-protein, high-calorie diet. A high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet is not
beneficial for an immobilized patient. Vitamins B and C are needed rather than A and E. Fluid
restriction can be detrimental to the immobilized patient; this can lead to dehydration. A bland diet is
not necessary for immobilized patients.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:423
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
41. The nurse is caring for a patient who has had a stroke causing total paralysis of the right side. To
help maintain joint function and minimize the disability from contractures, passive ROM will be
initiated. When should the nurse begin this therapy?
a.
After the acute phase of the disease has passed
b.
As soon as the ability to move is lost
c.
Once the patient enters the rehab unit
d.
When the patient requests it
ANS: B
Passive ROM exercises should begin as soon as the patient’s ability to move the extremity or joint is
lost. The nurse should not wait for the acute phase to end. It may be some time before the patient
enters the rehab unit or the patient requests it, and contractures could form by then.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:430
OBJ: Compare and contrast active and passive range-of-motion exercises.
TOP: Planning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
42. The nurse is admitting a patient who has been diagnosed as having had a stroke. The health
care provider writes orders for “ROM as needed.” What should the nurse do next?
a.
Restrict patient’s mobility as much as possible.
b.
Realize the patient is unable to move extremities.
c.
Move all the patient’s extremities.
d.
Further assess the patient.
ANS: D
Further assessment of the patient is needed to determine what the patient is able to perform. Some
patients are able to move some joints actively, whereas the nurse passively moves others. With a
weak patient, the nurse may have to support an extremity while the patient performs the movement.
In general, exercises need to be as active as health and mobility allow.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:414
OBJ: Compare and contrast active and passive range-of-motion exercises.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
43. A nurse is assessing pressure points in a patient placed in the Sims’ position. Which areas will
the nurse observe?
a.
Chin, elbow, hips
b.
Ileum, clavicle, knees
c.
Shoulder, anterior iliac spine, ankles
d.
Occipital region of the head, coccyx, heels
ANS: B
In the Sims’ position pressure points include the ileum, humerus, clavicle, knees, and ankles. The
lateral position pressure points include the ear, shoulder, anterior iliac spine, and ankles. The prone
position pressure points include the chin, elbows, female breasts, hips, knees, and toes. Supine
position pressure points include the occipital region of the head, vertebrae, coccyx, elbows, and
heels.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:429
OBJ:Assess for correct and impaired body alignment and mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
44. The patient is admitted to a skilled care unit for rehabilitation after the surgical procedure of
fixation of a fractured left hip. The patient’s nursing diagnosis is Impaired physical mobility related to
musculoskeletal impairment from surgery and pain with movement. The patient is able to use a
walker but needs assistance ambulating and transferring from the bed to the chair. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate for this patient?
a.
Obtain assistance and physically transfer the patient to the chair.
b.
Assist with ambulation and measure how far the patient walks.
c.
Give pain medication after ambulation so the patient will have a clear mind.
d.
Bring the patient to the cafeteria for group instruction on ambulation.
ANS: B
Assist with walking and measure how far the patient walks to quantify progress. The nurse should
allow the patient to do as much for self as possible. Therefore, the nurse should observe the patient
transferring from the bed to the chair using the walker and should provide assistance as needed.
The patient should be encouraged to use adequate pain medication to decrease the effects of pain
and to increase mobility. The patient should be instructed on safe transfer and ambulation
techniques in an environment with few distractions, not in the cafeteria.
DIF: Analyze (analysis) REF: 413-414 | 428 | 431-432 | 438
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
45. The patient has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and needs to be repositioned using the
logrolling technique. Which technique will the nurse use for logrolling?
a.
Use at least three people.
b.
Have the patient reach for the opposite side rail when turning.
c.
Move the top part of the patient’s torso and then the bottom part.
d.
Do not use pillows after turning.
ANS: A
At least three to four people are needed to perform this skill safely. Have the patient cross the arms
on the chest to prevent injury to the arms. Move the patient as one unit in a smooth, continuous
motion on the count of three. Gently lean the patient as a unit back toward pillows for support.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:437
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Upon assessment a nurse discovers that a patient has erythema. Which actions will the nurse
take? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Consult a dietitian.
b.
Increase fiber in the diet.
c.
Place on chest physiotherapy.
d.
Increase frequency of turning.
e.
Place on pressure-relieving mattress.
ANS: A, D, E
If skin shows areas of erythema and breakdown, increase the frequency of turning and repositioning;
place the turning schedule above the patient’s bed; implement other activities per agency skin care
policy or protocol (e.g., assess more frequently, consult dietitian, place patient on pressure-relieving
mattress). Increased fiber will help constipation. Chest physiotherapy is for respiratory complications.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:438
OBJ: Describe interventions for improving or maintaining patients’ mobility.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
2. The nurse is caring for a patient with impaired physical mobility. Which potential complications will
the nurse monitor for in this patient? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Footdrop
b.
Somnolence
c.
Hypostatic pneumonia
d.
Impaired skin integrity
e.
Increased socialization
ANS: A, C, D
Immobility leads to complications such as hypostatic pneumonia. Other possible complications
include footdrop and impaired skin integrity. Interruptions in the sleep-wake cycle and social isolation
are more common complications than somnolence or increased socialization.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:410-411 | 419
OBJ: Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial function associated with immobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
3. The nurse is caring for a patient who has had a recent stroke and is paralyzed on the left side.
The patient has no respiratory or cardiac issues but cannot walk. The patient cannot button a shirt
and cannot feed self due to being left-handed and becomes frustrated very easily. The patient has
been eating very little and has lost 2 lbs. The patient asks the nurse, “How can I go home like this?
I’m not getting better.” Which health care team members will the nurse need to consult? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Dietitian
b.
Physical therapist
c.
Respiratory therapist
d.
Cardiac rehabilitation therapist
e.
Occupational therapist
f.
Psychologist
ANS: A, B, E, F
Physical therapists are a resource for planning ROM or strengthening exercises, and occupational
therapists are a resource for planning ADLs that patients need to modify or relearn. Because of the
loss of 2 lbs and eating very little, a dietitian will also be helpful. Referral to a mental health
advanced practice nurse, a licensed social worker, or a physiologist to assist with coping or other
psychosocial issues is also wise. Because the patient exhibits good cardiac and respiratory function,
respiratory therapy and cardiac rehabilitation probably are not needed at this time.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:421
OBJ: Develop individualized nursing care plans for patients with impaired mobility.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
Upon assessment a nurse discovers postural abnormalities on several patients. Match the
abnormalities to the findings the nurse observed.
a.
Lateral-S- or C-shaped spinal column with vertebral rotation
b.
Legs curved inward so knees come together as person walks
c.
One or both legs bent outward at knee
d.
Inclining of head to affected side
e.
Exaggeration of anterior convex curve of lumbar spine
f.
Increased convexity in curvature of thoracic spine
1. Lordosis
2. Kyphosis
3. Scoliosis
4. Genu valgum
5. Genu varum
6. Torticollis
1.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
2.ANS:FDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
3.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
4.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
5.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
6.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:409
OBJ:Discuss physiological and pathological influences on mobility.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
Chapter 29: Infection Prevention and Control
Chapter 29: Infection Prevention and Control
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse and a new nurse in orientation are caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which
statement by the new nurse will indicate a correct understanding of this condition?
a.
“An infectious disease like pneumonia may not pose a risk to others.”
b.
“We need to isolate the patient in a private negative-pressure room.”
c.
“Clinical signs and symptoms are not present in pneumonia.”
d.
“The patient will not be able to return home.”
ANS: A
Infections are infectious and/or communicable. Infectious diseases may not pose a risk for
transmission to others, although they are serious for the patient. Pneumonia is not a communicable
disease—a disease that is transmitted directly from one individual to the next, so there is no need for
isolation. A private negative–air pressure room is used for tuberculosis, not pneumonia. Clinical
signs and symptoms are present in pneumonia. Frequently, patients with pneumonia do return home
unless there are extenuating circumstances.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:443
OBJ: Explain the relationship between the infection chain and transmission of infection.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
2. The patient and the nurse are discussing Rickettsia rickettsii—Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Which patient statement to the nurse indicates understanding regarding the mode of transmission for
this disease?
a.
“When camping, I will use sunscreen.”
b.
“When camping, I will drink bottled water.”
c.
“When camping, I will wear insect repellent.”
d.
“When camping, I will wash my hands with hand gel.”
ANS: C
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by bacteria transmitted by the bite of ticks. Wearing a
repellent that is designed for repelling ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects can help in preventing
transmission of this disease. Drinking plenty of uncontaminated water, wearing sunscreen, and using
alcohol-based hand gels for cleaning hands are all important activities to participate in while
camping, but they do not contribute to or prevent transmission of this disease.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:444
OBJ: Explain the relationship between the infection chain and transmission of infection.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
3. The nurse is providing an educational session for a group of preschool workers. The nurse
reminds the group about the most important thing to do to prevent the spread of infection. Which
information did the nurse share with the preschool workers?
a.
Encourage preschool children to eat a nutritious diet.
b.
Suggest that parents provide a multivitamin to the children.
c.
Clean the toys every afternoon before putting them away.
d.
Wash their hands between each interaction with children.
ANS: D
The single most important thing that individuals can do to prevent the spread of infection is to wash
their hands before and after eating, going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, and wiping a nose
and between touching each individual child. It is important for preschool children to have a nutritious
diet; a healthy individual can fight infection more effectively. A health care provider, along with the
parent, makes decisions about dietary supplements. Cleaning the toys can decrease the number of
pathogens but is not the most important thing to do in this scenario.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:443 | 455
OBJ: Give an example of preventing infection for each element of the infection chain.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
4. The nurse is admitting a patient with an infectious disease process. Which question will
be most appropriate for a nurse to ask about the patient’s susceptibility to this infectious process?
a.
“Do you have a spouse?”
b.
“Do you have a chronic disease?”
c.
“Do you have any children living in the home?”
d.
“Do you have any religious beliefs that will influence your care?”
ANS: B
Multiple factors influence a patient’s susceptibility to infection. Patients with chronic diseases such
as diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis are also more susceptible to infection because of general
debilitation and nutritional impairment. Other factors include age, nutritional status, trauma, and
smoking. The other questions are part of an admission assessment process but are not pertinent to
the infectious disease process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:449
OBJ: Give an example of preventing infection for each element of the infection chain.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
5. The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two
days postoperatively, the nurse’s assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small
amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient’s
temperature is 100.5° F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm3. Which action should the nurse take first?
a.
Plan to change the surgical dressing during the shift.
b.
Utilize SBAR to notify the primary health care provider.
c.
Reevaluate the temperature and white blood cell count in 4 hours.
d.
Check to see what solution was used for skin preparation in surgery.
ANS: B
The nursing assessment indicates signs and symptoms of infection, requiring the primary health
care provider to be notified of the patient’s needs. SBAR—Situation, Background, Assessment, and
Recommendation—can be utilized to organize thoughts and data and to provide a thorough
explanation of the patient’s current status. The reevaluation of temperature is a good choice, but it
will take longer than 4 hours to make a change in the white blood cells. Changing the dressing may
be a need during the shift but is not a first priority. Checking to see about the skin preparation used 2
days ago may or may not be useful information at this time.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:450 | 467
OBJ: Give an example of preventing infection for each element of the infection chain.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
6. The nurse is providing an education session to an adult community group about the effects of
smoking on infection. Which information is most important for the nurse to include in the educational
session?
a.
Smoke from tobacco products clings to your clothing and hair.
b.
Smoking affects the cilia lining the upper airways in the lungs.
c.
Smoking can affect the color of the patient’s fingernails.
d.
Smoking tobacco products can be very expensive.
ANS: B
A normal defense mechanism against infection in the respiratory tract is the cilia lining the upper
airways of the lungs and normal mucus. When a patient inhales a microbe, the cilia and mucus trap
the microbe and sweep them up and out to be expectorated or swallowed. Smoking may alter this
defense mechanism and increase the patient’s potential for infection. Smoking can be expensive,
the smell does cling to hair and clothing, and the tar within the smoke can alter the color of a
patient’s nails. This information can be included in the education but does not constitute the most
important point.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:447
OBJ:Identify the normal defenses of the body against infection.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
7. A female adult patient presents to the clinic with reports of a white discharge and itching in the
vaginal area. A nurse is taking a health history. Which question is the priority?
a.
“When was the last time you visited your primary health care provider?”
b.
“Has this condition affected your eating habits in any way?”
c.
“What medications are you currently taking?”
d.
“Are you able to sleep at night?”
ANS: C
Antibiotics and oral contraceptives can disrupt normal flora in the vagina, causing an overgrowth
of Candida albicans in that area. It is important to ask the patient about current medications to obtain
information that may assist with diagnosis. The body contains normal flora (microorganisms) that live
on the surface of skin, saliva, oral mucosa, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract. The normal
flora of the vagina causes vaginal secretions to achieve a low pH, inhibiting the growth of many
microorganisms. Visiting the primary health care provider is important for the patient’s health
maintenance but is not the priority. Learning about the patient’s eating and sleeping habits will assist
in the plan of care but is not the priority.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:447 | 452
OBJ:Identify the normal defenses of the body against infection.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
8. The nurse is caring for a school-aged child who has injured the right leg after a bicycle accident.
Which signs and symptoms will the nurse assess for to determine if the child is experiencing a
localized inflammatory response?
a.
Malaise, anorexia, enlarged lymph nodes, and increased white blood cells
b.
Chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting
c.
Dizziness and disorientation to time, date, and place
d.
Edema, redness, tenderness, and loss of function
ANS: D
The body’s cellular response to an injury is seen as inflammation. Signs of localized inflammation
include swelling, redness, heat, pain or tenderness, and loss of function in the affected body part.
Systemic signs of inflammation include fever, malaise, and anorexia, as well as enlarged lymph
nodes and increased white blood cells. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting
are signs and symptoms of a cardiac alteration. Dizziness and disorientation to time, date, and place
may indicate a neurologic alteration.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:446
OBJ: Discuss the events in the inflammatory response. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
9. Which interventions utilized by the nurse will indicate the ability to recognize a localized
inflammatory response?
a.
Vigorous range-of-motion exercises
b.
Turn, cough, and deep breathe
c.
Orient to date, time, and place
d.
Rest, ice, and elevation
ANS: D
Signs of localized inflammation include swelling, redness, heat, pain or tenderness, and loss of
function in the affected body part. One sign of the inflammatory response, particularly after an injury,
is swelling or edema. Resting the affected injured area, using ice as ordered, wrapping the area to
provide support—particularly if it is an extremity—and elevating the injured area will help to decrease
swelling or edema. Turning, coughing, and deep breathing are utilized for postoperative patients and
for immobilized patients to help prevent an infectious process such as pneumonia. Orientation to
date, time, and place is an intervention utilized with many different types of patients who may be
confused. Vigorous range of motion would irritate the inflammatory process. Range of motion is
utilized for individuals who need to improve movement of their extremities, including immobilized
patients.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:446
OBJ: Discuss the events in the inflammatory response. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
10. The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. Which patient is most at risk for
developing an infection?
a.
A patient who is in observation for chest pain
b.
A patient who has been admitted with dehydration
c.
A patient who is recovering from a right total hip surgery
d.
A patient who has been admitted for stabilization of heart problems
ANS: C
The patient who is recovering from a right total hip surgery has a large incision from the surgery.
This break in the skin increases the likelihood of infection. Any break in the integrity of the skin and
mucous membranes allows pathogens to enter and exit the body. The patient has had anesthesia,
which depresses the respiratory system and has the potential to decrease the expansion of alveoli
and to increase the chance of infection in the respiratory system. A patient who is having chest pain,
experiencing dehydration, or being admitted with heart problems does not have open incisions that
break the skin; therefore, his or her infection risk is lower.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:444-445 | 447
OBJ: Identify patients most at risk for infection. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
11. The nurse is caring for a patient with leukemia and is preparing to provide fluids through a
vascular access (IV) device. Which nursing intervention is a priority in this procedure?
a.
Review the procedure with the patient.
b.
Position the patient comfortably.
c.
Maintain surgical aseptic technique.
d.
Gather available supplies.
ANS: C
You maintain surgical aseptic technique at the patient’s bedside (e.g., when inserting IV or urinary
catheters, suctioning the tracheobronchial airway, and sterile dressing changes) because patients
with disease processes of the immune system are at particular risk for infection. These diseases
include leukemia, AIDS, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia. These disease processes weaken the
defenses against an infectious organism. Reviewing the procedure with the patient, positioning the
patient, and gathering the supplies are all important steps in the procedure but are not the priority in
the procedure since the patient already has a compromised immune response.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:449 | 467
OBJ: Identify patients most at risk for infection. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
12. The nurse is caring for an adult patient in the clinic who has been evacuated and is a victim of
flooding. The nurse teaches the patient about rest, exercise, and eating properly and how to utilize
deep breathing and visualization. What is the primary rationale for the nurse’s actions related to the
teaching?
a.
Topics taught are standard information taught during health care visits.
b.
The patient requested this information to teach the extended family members.
c.
Stress for long periods of time can lead to exhaustion and decreased resistance to infection.
d.
These techniques will help the patient manage the pain and loss of personal belongings.
ANS: C
The body responds to emotional or physical stress by the general adaptation syndrome. If stress
extends for long periods of time, this can lead to exhaustion, whereby energy stores are depleted
and the body has no defenses against invading organisms. Techniques of deep breathing and
visualization may be helpful with pain, but they are not the primary reason. The teachings listed are
not all standard interventions taught at every health care visit. There is no data to indicate the patient
requested this information for the family.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:449
OBJ: Identify patients most at risk for infection. TOP: Planning
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
13. The nurse is caring for a patient who is susceptible to infection. Which instruction will the nurse
include in an educational session to decrease the risk of infection?
a.
Teaching the patient about fall prevention
b.
Teaching the patient to take a temperature
c.
Teaching the patient to select nutritious foods
d.
Teaching the patient about the effects of alcohol
ANS: C
A patient’s nutritional health directly influences susceptibility to infection. A reduction in the intake of
protein and other nutrients such as carbohydrates and fats reduces body defenses against infection
and impairs wound healing. This is the only teaching point that directly influences risk. Teaching the
patient how to take a temperature can help the patient assess if there is a fever, but it is not related
to decreasing the individual’s risk for infection. Teaching the patient about fall prevention or about
the effects of alcohol does not decrease the risk of infection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:449
OBJ: Identify patients most at risk for infection. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
14. A diabetic patient presents to the clinic for a dressing change. The wound is located on the right
foot and has purulent yellow drainage. Which action will the nurse take to prevent the spread of
infection?
a.
Position the patient comfortably on the stretcher.
b.
Explain the procedure for dressing change to the patient.
c.
Review the medication list that the patient brought from home.
d.
Don gloves and other appropriate personal protective equipment.
ANS: D
Localized infections are most common in the skin or with mucous membrane breakdown. Wear
gloves and other personal protective equipment as appropriate when examining or providing
treatment to localized infected areas to create a protective barrier. Positioning the patient, explaining
the procedure, and reviewing the medication list are all tasks that need to be completed, but they do
not prevent the spread of infection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:450 | 459 | 465
OBJ: Describe the signs/symptoms of a localized infection and those of a systemic infection.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
15. A patient presents with pneumonia. Which priority intervention should be included in the plan of
care for this patient?
a.
Observe the patient for decreased activity tolerance.
b.
Assume the patient is in pain and treat accordingly.
c.
Provide the patient ice chips as requested.
d.
Maintain the room temperature at 65° F.
ANS: A
Systemic infection, like pneumonia, causes more generalized symptoms than local infection. This
type of infection can result in fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and malaise; be alert for changes
in the patient’s level of activity and responsiveness. Nurses do not assume but assess and
communicate with the patient about pain. While providing the patient with ice chips may be
appropriate, it is not a priority and there is no reason for the patient to be limited to ice. Maintaining
the room temperature at 65° F is too cold.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:450-451
OBJ: Describe the signs/symptoms of a localized infection and those of a systemic infection.
TOP: Planning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
16. The nurse is caring for a patient in an intensive care unit who needs a bath. Which priorityaction
will the nurse take to decrease the potential for a health care–associated infection?
a.
Use local anesthetic on reddened areas.
b.
Use nonallergenic tape on dressings.
c.
Use a chlorhexidine wash.
d.
Use filtered water.
ANS: C
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of chlorhexidine (CHG)
bathing for patients in intensive care units, patients who are scheduled for surgery, and all patients
with invasive central line catheters as part of MRSA reduction efforts. Using local anesthetics,
nonallergenic tape, and filtered water does not affect the cause of a health care–associated infection
by, for example, decreasing microbial counts like a CHG bath.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:448
OBJ: Explain conditions that promote the transmission of health care–associated infection.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
17. The infection control nurse is reviewing data for the medical-surgical unit. The nurse notices an
increase in postoperative infections from Aspergillus. Which type of health care–associated infection
will the nurse report?
a.
Vector
b.
Exogenous
c.
Endogenous
d.
Suprainfection
ANS: B
An exogenous infection comes from microorganisms found outside the individual such
as Salmonella, Clostridium tetani, and Aspergillus. They do not exist as normal floras. A vector
transmits microorganisms and is usually a type of insect or organism. Endogenous infection occurs
when part of the patient’s flora becomes altered and an overgrowth results (e.g., staphylococci,
enterococci, yeasts, and streptococci). This often happens when a patient receives broad-spectrum
antibiotics that alter the normal floras. A suprainfection develops when broad-spectrum antibiotics
eliminate a wide range of normal flora organisms, not just those causing infection.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:448
OBJ: Explain conditions that promote the transmission of health care–associated infection.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
18. The patient has contracted a urinary tract infection (UTI) while in the hospital. Which action
will most likely increase the risk of a patient contracting a UTI?
a.
Reusing the patient’s graduated receptacle to empty the drainage bag.
b.
Allowing the drainage bag port to touch the graduated receptacle.
c.
Emptying the urinary drainage bag at least once a shift.
d.
Irrigating the catheter infrequently.
ANS: B
Allowing the urinary drainage bag port to touch contaminated items (graduated receptacle) may
introduce bacteria into the urinary system and contribute to a urinary tract infection. The urinary
drainage bag should be emptied at least once a shift. Patients should have their own receptacle for
measurement to prevent cross-contamination. Repeated catheter irrigations increase the chance so
irrigating infrequently will be beneficial in reducing the risk.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:448 | 457
OBJ: Explain conditions that promote the transmission of health care–associated infection.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
19. Which nursing action will most likely increase a patient’s risk for developing a health care–
associated infection?
a.
Uses surgical aseptic technique to suction an airway
b.
Uses a clean technique for inserting a urinary catheter
c.
Uses a cleaning stroke from the urinary meatus toward the rectum
d.
Uses a sterile bottled solution more than once within a 24-hour period
ANS: B
Using clean technique (medical asepsis) to insert a urinary catheter would place the patient at risk
for a health care–associated infection. Urinary catheters need to be inserted using sterile technique,
which is also referred to as surgical asepsis. Surgical aseptic technique (also called sterile
technique) should be used when suctioning an airway because it is considered a sterile body cavity.
Washing from clean to dirty (urinary meatus toward rectum) is correct for decreasing infection risk.
Bottled solutions may be used repeatedly during a 24-hour period; however, special care is needed
to ensure that the solution in the bottle remains sterile. After 24 hours, the solution should be
discarded.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:448 | 467
OBJ: Explain conditions that promote the transmission of health care–associated infection.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
20. The nurse is caring for a patient in labor and delivery. When near completing an assessment of
the patient’s cervix, the electronic infusion device being used on the intravenous (IV) infusion alarms.
Which sequence of actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take?
a.
Complete the assessment, remove gloves, and silence the alarm.
b.
Discontinue the assessment, silence the alarm, and assess the intravenous site.
c.
Complete the assessment, remove gloves, wash hands, and assess the intravenous infusion.
d.
Discontinue the assessment, remove gloves, use hand gel, and assess the intravenous infusion.
ANS: C
Completing the assessment while wearing gloves, removing gloves, washing hands after contact
with body fluids, and then assessing the intravenous infusion will assist in the prevention and
transfer of any potential organisms to this intravenous line. Completing the assessment, removing
gloves, and silencing the alarm leaves out the crucial step of decontaminating and washing the
hands. Discontinuing the assessment and assessing the IV leaves out removing the gloves and
decontamination, as well as completing the assessment for the patient. Discontinuing the
assessment, removing gloves, using hand gel, and assessing the IV is incorrect because upon
exposure to body fluids, washing hands is appropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:458-459 | 465-466
OBJ:Explain the difference between medical and surgical asepsis.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
21. The nurse is dressed and is preparing to care for a patient in the perioperative area. The nurse
has scrubbed hands and has donned a sterile gown and gloves. Which action will indicate a break in
sterile technique?
a.
Touching clean protective eyewear
b.
Standing with hands above waist area
c.
Accepting sterile supplies from the surgeon
d.
Staying with the sterile table once it is open
ANS: A
Touching nonsterile (clean) protective eyewear once gowned and gloved with sterile gown and
gloves would indicate a break in sterile technique. Sterile objects remain sterile only when touched
by another sterile object. Standing with hands folded on the chest is common practice and prevents
arms and hands from touching unsterile objects. Accepting sterile supplies from the surgeon who
has opened them with the appropriate technique is acceptable. Staying with a sterile table once
opened is a common practice to ascertain that no one or nothing has contaminated the table.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:467 | 468
OBJ:Explain the difference between medical and surgical asepsis.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
22. The nurse is caring for a patient with an incision. Which actions will best indicate an
understanding of medical and surgical asepsis for a sterile dressing change?
a.
Donning clean goggles, gown, and gloves to dress the wound
b.
Donning sterile gown and gloves to remove the wound dressing
c.
Utilizing clean gloves to remove the dressing and sterile supplies for the new dressing
d.
Utilizing clean gloves to remove the dressing and clean supplies for the new dressing
ANS: C
Utilize clean gloves (medical asepsis) to remove contaminated dressings and sterile supplies,
including gloves and dressings (surgical asepsis–sterile technique) to reapply sterile dressings.
Wearing sterile gowns and gloves is not necessary when removing soiled dressings. Donning clean
gloves to dress a sterile wound would contaminate the sterile supplies. Utilizing clean supplies for a
sterile dressing would not help in decreasing the number of microbes at the incision site.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:455 | 467
OBJ:Explain the difference between medical and surgical asepsis.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
23. The nurse is caring for a patient in the endoscopy area. The nurse observes the technician
performing these tasks. Which observation will require the nurse to intervene?
a.
Washing hands after removing gloves
b.
Disinfecting endoscopes in the workroom
c.
Removing gloves to transfer the endoscope
d.
Placing the endoscope in a container for transfer
ANS: C
Standard precautions are used to prevent and control the spread of infection. Transferring
contaminated equipment without the protection of gloves can assist in the spread of microbes to
inanimate objects and to the person doing the transfer; therefore, the nurse must intervene. Utilizing
gloves, washing hands, covering contaminated supplies during transfer, and disinfecting equipment
in the appropriate way in the appropriate places utilize principles of basic medical asepsis and
standard precautions and can break the chain of infection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:455-456 | 459
OBJ: Explain the rationale for standard precautions. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
24. The nurse is caring for a patient who is at risk for infection. Which action by the nurse indicates
correct understanding about standard precautions?
a.
Teaches the patient about good nutrition
b.
Dons gloves when wearing artificial nails
c.
Disposes an uncapped needle in the designated container
d.
Wears eyewear when emptying the urinary drainage bag
ANS: D
Standard precautions include the wearing of eyewear whenever there is a possibility of a splash or
splatter, like when emptying the urinary drainage bag. Teaching the patient about good nutrition is
positive but does not apply to standard precautions. Standard precautions apply to contact with
blood, body fluid (except sweat), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes from all patients. Artificial
nails are not worn when using standard precautions. Any needles should be disposed of uncapped,
or a mechanical safety device is activated for recapping.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:459 | 464
OBJ: Explain the rationale for standard precautions. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
25. The nurse is caring for a patient who has just delivered a neonate. The nurse is checking the
patient for excessive vaginal drainage. Which precaution will the nurse use?
a.
Contact
b.
Droplet
c.
Standard
d.
Protective environment
ANS: C
Standard precautions apply to contact with blood, body fluid, nonintact skin, and mucous
membranes of all patients. Contact precautions apply to individuals with infections that can be
transmitted by direct or indirect contact. Protective environment precautions apply to individuals who
have undergone transplantations and gene therapy. Droplet precautions focus on diseases that are
transmitted by large droplets.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:458-459
OBJ: Explain the rationale for standard precautions. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
26. The nurse is caring for a patient in the hospital. The nurse observes the nursing assistive
personnel (NAP) turning off the handle faucet with bare hands. Which professional practice principle
supports the need for follow-up with the NAP?
a.
The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient.
b.
Different scopes of practice allow modification of procedures.
c.
Allowing the water to run is a waste of resources and money.
d.
This is a key step in the procedure for washing hands.
ANS: A
The nurse is responsible for providing a safe environment for the patient. The effectiveness of
infection control practices depends on conscientiousness and consistency in using effective aseptic
technique by all health care providers. After washing hands, turn off a handle faucet with a dry paper
towel, and avoid touching the handles with your hands to assist in preventing the transfer of
microorganisms. Wet towels and hands allow the transfer of pathogens from faucet to hands. The
principles and procedures for washing hands are universal and apply to all members of health care
teams. Being resourceful and aware of the cost of health care is important, but taking shortcuts that
may endanger an individual’s health is not a prudent practice.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:458-459 | 472
OBJ: Perform proper procedures for hand hygiene. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
27. The nurse is caring for a patient who becomes nauseated and vomits without warning. The nurse
has contaminated hands. Which action is best for the nurse to take next?
a.
Wash hands with an antimicrobial soap and water.
b.
Clean hands with wipes from the bedside table.
c.
Use an alcohol-based waterless hand gel.
d.
Wipe hands with a dry paper towel.
ANS: A
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that when hands are visibly
soiled, one should wash with a non-antimicrobial soap or with antimicrobial soap. Cleaning hands
with wipes or using waterless hand gel does not meet this standard. If hands are not visibly soiled,
use an alcohol-based waterless antiseptic agent for routinely decontaminating hands. Wiping hands
with a dry paper towel will occur after the nurse has washed both hands.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:459
OBJ: Perform proper procedures for hand hygiene. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
28. The nurse is performing hand hygiene before assisting a health care provider with insertion of a
chest tube. While washing hands, the nurse touches the sink. Which action will the nurse take next?
a.
Inform the health care provider and recruit another nurse to assist.
b.
Rinse and dry hands, and begin assisting the health care provider.
c.
Extend the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes.
d.
Repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap.
ANS: D
The inside of the sink and the edges of the sink, faucet, and handles are considered contaminated
areas. If the hands touch any of these areas during handwashing, repeat the handwashing
procedure utilizing antiseptic soap. There is no need to inform the health care provider or be relieved
of this assignment. If the hands are contaminated when touching the sink, drying hands and
proceeding with the procedure could possibly contaminate and contribute to increased microbial
counts during the procedure, resulting in infection for the patient. Extending the time for washing the
hands (although this is what will happen when the procedure is repeated) is not the focus. The focus
is to repeat the whole hand hygiene procedure utilizing antiseptic soap.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:472
OBJ: Perform proper procedures for hand hygiene. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
29. The nurse on the surgical team and the surgeon have completed a surgery. After donning
gloves, gathering instruments, and placing in the transport carrier, what is the next step in handling
the instruments used during the procedure?
a.
Sending to central sterile for cleaning and sterilization
b.
Sending to central sterile for cleaning and disinfection
c.
Sending to central sterile for cleaning and boiling
d.
Sending to central sterile for cleaning
ANS: A
Surgical instruments need to be cleaned and sterilized. Disinfecting, boiling, or cleaning is not
utilized on critical items that will be reused on patients in the hospital environment. Items that are
used on sterile tissue or in the vascular system present a high risk of infection if they become
contaminated with bacteria.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:455-456
OBJ: Explain how infection control measures differ in the home versus the hospital.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
30. The nurse is observing a family member changing a dressing for a patient in the home health
environment. Which observation indicates the family member has a correct understanding of how to
manage contaminated dressings?
a.
The family member places the used dressings in a plastic bag.
b.
The family member saves part of the dressing because it is clean.
c.
The family member removes gloves and gathers items for disposal.
d.
The family member wraps the used dressing in toilet tissue before placing in trash.
ANS: A
Contaminated dressings and other infectious, disposable items should be placed in impervious
plastic or brown paper bags and then disposed of properly in garbage containers. Gloves should be
worn during this process. Parts of the dressing should not be saved, even though they may seem
clean, because microbes may be present.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:461 | 467
OBJ: Explain how infection control measures differ in the home versus the hospital.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
31. The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A patient with Clostridium difficile in droplet precautions
b.
A patient with tuberculosis in airborne precautions
c.
A patient with MRSA infection in contact precautions
d.
A patient with a lung transplant in protective environment precautions
ANS: A
A patient with Clostridium difficile should be on contact precautions, not droplet; therefore, the nurse
will see this patient first to correct the precautions. All the rest are on correct precautions. Patients
with tuberculosis belong in airborne precautions; patients with MRSA infection belong in contact
precautions; and patients with lung transplants belong in protective environment precautions.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:459
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
32. The home health nurse is teaching a patient and family about hand hygiene in the home. Which
situation will cause the nurse to emphasize washing hands before and after?
a.
Shaking hands
b.
Performing treatments
c.
Opening the refrigerator
d.
Working on a computer
ANS: B
Patients and family members should perform hand hygiene before and after treatments and when
coming in contact with body fluids. Shaking hands does not require washing of hands before and
after. Washing hands before and after opening the refrigerator and using the computer is not
required.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:467
OBJ: Explain how infection control measures differ in the home versus the hospital.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
33. The surgical mask the perioperative nurse is wearing becomes moist. Which action will the
perioperative nurse take next?
a.
Apply a new mask.
b.
Reapply the mask after it air-dries.
c.
Change the mask when relieved by next shift.
d.
Do not change the mask if the nurse is comfortable.
ANS: A
After the mask is worn for several hours, it can become moist. The mask should be changed as soon
as possible because moisture does not provide a barrier to microorganisms and is ineffective.
Waiting to change the mask, air-drying it, or wearing it because it is comfortable does not support
the principles of infection control.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:464 | 468
OBJ:Properly apply a surgical mask, sterile gown, and sterile gloves.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
34. The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be mostappropriate to
prevent the spread of disease?
a.
Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.
b.
Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient.
c.
Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology department.
d.
Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.
ANS: D
Contact precautions are a type of isolation precaution used for patients with illness that can be
transmitted through direct or indirect contact. Patients who are on contact precautions should have
dedicated equipment wherever possible. This would mean, for example, that one blood pressure cuff
and one stethoscope would stay in the room with the patient and would be used for that patient only.
A gown and gloves may be required for interactions with a patient who is on contact precautions. A
face mask and goggles are not part of contact precautions. A room with negative airflow is needed
for patients placed on airborne precautions; it is not necessary for a patient on contact precautions.
When a patient on contact precautions needs to be transported, the patient should wear clean gown,
and hands cleaned, and the infectious material is contained or covered.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:459-460
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
35. The nurse is caring for a patient who has cultured positive for Clostridium difficile. Which action
will the nurse take next?
a.
Instruct assistive personnel to use soap and water rather than sanitizer.
b.
Wear an N95 respirator when entering the patient room.
c.
Place the patient on droplet precautions.
d.
Teach the patient cough etiquette.
ANS: A
Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming organism that can be transmitted through direct and indirect
patient contact. Because Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming organism, hand sanitizer is not
effective in preventing its transmission. Hands must be washed with soap and water to prevent
transmission. This organism is not transmitted via the droplet route; therefore, droplet precautions
are not needed. An N95 respirator is used primarily for patients with airborne illness, especially
tuberculosis. While all patients should be taught cough etiquette, this action is not specifically related
to the patient having Clostridium difficile.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:443 | 458 | 459
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
36. The nurse is changing linens for a postoperative patient and feels a prick in the left hand. A
nonactivated safe needle is noted in the linens. For which condition is the nurse most at risk?
a.
Diphtheria
b.
Hepatitis B
c.
Clostridium difficile
d.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
ANS: B
Bloodborne pathogens such as those associated with hepatitis B and C are most commonly
transmitted by contaminated needles. Clostridium difficile and MRSA are spread by contact.
Diphtheria is spread by droplets when one is within 3 feet of the patient.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:469
OBJ: Understand the definition of occupational exposure. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
37. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a bloodborne pathogen. The nurse splashes blood
above the glove to intact skin while discontinuing an intravenous (IV) infusion. Which step(s) will the
nurse take next?
a.
Obtain an alcohol swab, remove the blood with an alcohol swab, and continue care.
b.
Immediately wash the site with soap and running water, and seek guidance from the manager.
c.
Do nothing; accidentally getting splashed with blood happens frequently and is part of the job.
d.
Delay washing of the site until the nurse is finished providing care to the patient.
ANS: B
After getting splashed with blood from a patient who has a known bloodborne pathogen, it is
important to cleanse the site immediately and thoroughly with soap and running water and notify the
manager for guidance on next steps in the process. Removing the blood with an alcohol swab,
delaying washing, and doing nothing because the splash was to intact skin could possibly spread the
blood within the room and could spread the infection. Contain contamination immediately to prevent
contact spread.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:466 | 470
OBJ:Explain the postexposure process.TOP:Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
38. Which process will be required after exposure of a nurse to blood by a cut from a used scalpel in
the operative area?
a.
Placing the scalpel in a needle safe container
b.
Testing the patient and offering treatment to the nurse
c.
Removing sterile gloves and disposing of in kick bucket
d.
Providing a medical evaluation of the nurse to the manager
ANS: B
Follow-up for risk of infection begins with patient testing. Patients should be tested for HIV and
hepatitis B and C. Testing of the nurse is dependent on the results of patient testing; if the patient is
positive for one of these infections, the nurse will be started on testing and treatment. Removing
sterile gloves and placing sharps in appropriate containers are always part of the perioperative
process and are not the process for postexposure. A confidential medical evaluation is provided to
the nurse, not the manager.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:470
OBJ:Explain the postexposure process.TOP:Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
39. The nurse is caring for a patient who needs a protective environment. The nurse has provided
the care needed and is now leaving the room. In which order will the nurse remove the personal
protective equipment, beginning with the first step?
1. Remove eyewear/face shield and goggles.
2. Perform hand hygiene, leave room, and close door.
3. Remove gloves.
4. Untie gown, allow gown to fall from shoulders, and do not touch outside of gown; dispose of
properly.
5. Remove mask by strings; do not touch outside of mask.
6. Dispose of all contaminated supplies and equipment in designated receptacles.
a.
3, 1, 4, 5, 6, 2
b.
1, 4, 5, 3, 6, 2
c.
1, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6
d.
3, 1, 4, 5, 2, 6
ANS: D
The correct order for removing personal protective equipment for a patient in a protective
environment and for performing associated tasks is to remove gloves, remove eyewear, remove
gown, remove mask, perform hand hygiene, leave room and close doors, and dispose of all
contaminated supplies and equipment in a manner that prevents the spread of microorganisms.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:463
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
40. The nurse manager is evaluating current infection control data for the intensive care unit. The
nurse compares past patient data with current data to look for trends. The nurse manager examines
the infection chain for possible solutions. In which order will the nurse arrange the items for the
infection chain beginning with the first step?
1. A mode of transmission
2. An infectious agent or pathogen
3. A susceptible host
4. A reservoir or source for pathogen growth
5. A portal of entry to a host
6. A portal of exit from the reservoir
a.
3, 2, 4, 1, 5, 6
b.
1, 3, 5, 4, 6, 2
c.
4, 2, 1, 6, 3, 5
d.
2, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3
ANS: D
For spread of infection, the chain has to be uninterrupted with an infectious agent, a reservoir and
portal of exit, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry, and a susceptible host. The nurse manager
is evaluating the chain of infection to determine actions that could be implemented to influence the
spread of infection in the intensive care unit. Understanding the spread of infection and directing
actions toward those steps have the potential to decrease infection in the setting.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:443
OBJ: Explain the relationship between the infection chain and transmission of infection.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. The nurse is caring for a patient in protective environment. Which actions will the nurse take?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Wear an N95 respirator when entering the patient’s room.
b.
Maintain airflow rate greater than 12 air exchanges/hr.
c.
Place in special room with negative-pressure airflow.
d.
Open drapes during the daytime.
e.
Listen to the patient’s interests.
f.
Place dried flowers in a plastic vase.
ANS: B, D, E
This form of isolation requires a specialized room with positive airflow. The airflow rate is set at
greater than 12 air exchanges/hr, and all air is filtered through a HEPA filter. Isolation disrupts
normal social relationships with visitors and caregivers. Take the opportunity to listen to a patient’s
concerns or interests. Open drapes or shades and remove excess supplies and equipment. Patients
are not allowed to have dried or fresh flowers or potted plants in these rooms. All health care
personnel wear an N95 respirator every time they enter the room for patients, and a private room
with negative airflow is required for patients on airborne precautions.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:459-460
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
2. The nurse is assessing a new patient admitted to home health. Which questions will
be mostappropriate for the nurse to ask to determine the risk of infection? (Select all that apply.)
a.
“Can you explain the risk for infection in your home?”
b.
“Have you traveled outside of the United States?”
c.
“Will you demonstrate how to wash your hands?”
d.
“What are the signs and symptoms of infection?”
e.
“Are you able to walk to the mailbox?”
f.
“Who runs errands for you?”
ANS: A, B, C, D
In the home setting, the objective is that the patient and/or family will utilize proper infection control
techniques. Asking the patient and family about handwashing, risk of infection, recent travel, and
signs and symptoms of infection is important in evaluating the patient’s knowledge based on
infection control strategies. Activity assessment is important for evaluation of the overall status of the
patient, and knowing who runs errands gives you information on who is helping to meet the needs of
the patient, but neither of these relates to decreasing the risk of infection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:450 | 467
OBJ: Explain how infection control measures differ in the home versus the hospital.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Safety and Infection Control
3. The circulating nurse in the operating room is observing the surgical technologist while applying a
sterile gown and gloves to care for a patient having an appendectomy. Which behaviors indicate to
the nurse that the procedure by the surgical technologist is correct? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Ties the back of own gown
b.
Touches only the inside of gown
c.
Slips arms into arm holes simultaneously
d.
Extended fingers fully into both of the gloves
e.
Uses hands covered by sleeves to open gloves
f.
Applies surgical cap and face mask in the operating suite
ANS: B, C, D, E
To maintain sterility, the surgical technologist (ST) touches the inside of the gown that will be against
the body. Arms are slipped simultaneously into the gown to prevent contamination. Using the
sleeves covering the hands maintains the principle of sterile only touching sterile to open gloves.
Extending the fingers fully into both gloves ensures that the ST has full dexterity while using the
sterile gloved hand. Surgical cap, face mask, and eye wear are applied before entering the surgical
area and completing the surgical scrub. Reaching behind to tie the back of the gown will
contaminate the sterile area of the gown.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:469 | 479
OBJ:Properly apply a surgical mask, sterile gown, and sterile gloves.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. The nurse is using open gloving to apply the
sterile gloves. Which steps will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
a.
While putting on the first glove, touch only the outside surface of the glove.
b.
With gloved dominant hand, slip fingers underneath second glove cuff.
c.
Remove outer glove package by tearing the package open.
d.
Lay glove package on clean flat surface above waistline.
e.
Glove the dominant hand of the nurse first.
f.
After second glove is on, interlock hands.
ANS: B, D, E, F
Sterile objects held below the waist are considered contaminated. Gloving the dominant hand helps
to improve dexterity. Slipping the fingers underneath the second glove cuff helps to keep the gloved
fingers sterile. Interlocking fingers ensures a smooth fit over the fingers. Sterile supplies are opened
by carefully separating and peeling apart the sides of the package. This prevents the sterile contents
from accidentally opening and touching contaminated objects. While putting on the first glove,
touching only the outside surface of the glove will contaminate the sterile item; touch only the inside
of the glove—the piece that will be against the skin.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:481-482
OBJ:Properly apply a surgical mask, sterile gown, and sterile gloves.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
5. The nurse has received a report from the emergency department that a patient with tuberculosis
will be coming to the unit. Which items will the nurse need to care for this patient? (Select all that
apply.)
a.
Private room
b.
Negative-pressure airflow in room
c.
Surgical mask, gown, gloves, eyewear
d.
N95 respirator, gown, gloves, eyewear
e.
Communication signs for droplet precautions
f.
Communication signs for airborne precautions
ANS: A, B, D, F
Caring for this patient requires a private room, negative-pressure airflow in room, and wearing an
N95 respirator that has been fit-tested, gloves, gown, and eyewear. Tuberculosis is a disease that is
transmitted by droplets that remain in the air for long periods of time, requiring airborne precautions.
This patient will not be in droplet precautions and instead requires airborne precaution signs. This
type of patient requires more than the average surgical mask for protection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:459-460
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Planning
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
6. The nurse and the student nurse are caring for two different patients on the medical-surgical unit.
One patient is in airborne precautions, and one is in contact precautions. The nurse explains to the
student different interventions for care. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching
session? (Select all that apply.)
a. Dispose of supplies to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
b. Wash hands before entering and leaving both of the patients’ rooms.
c. Be consistent in nursing interventions since there is only one difference in the precautions.
d. Apply the knowledge the nurse has of the disease process to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
e. Have patients in airborne precautions wear a mask during transportation to other departments.
f.
Check the working order of the negative-pressure room for the airborne precaution patient on admission and at discharge.
ANS: A, B, D, E
Washing hands, properly disposing of supplies, applying knowledge of the disease process, and
having patients in airborne precautions wear a mask during transfer are all principles to follow when
caring for patients in isolation. Multiple differences are evident among these types of isolation,
including the type of room used for the patient and what the nurse wears while caring for the patient.
It is important to check the working order of a negative-pressure room before admitting a patient to
the room, each shift the patient is in the room, and if and when the device alarms. Checking the
working order of the negative-pressure rooms at discharge is not necessary.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:459-460
OBJ: Explain procedures for each isolation category. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
Chapter 30: Vital Signs
Chapter 30: Vital Signs
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient has a head injury and damages the hypothalamus. Which vital sign will the nurse
monitor most closely?
a.
Pulse
b.
Respirations
c.
Temperature
d.
Blood pressure
ANS: C
Disease or trauma to the hypothalamus or the spinal cord, which carries hypothalamic messages,
causes serious alterations in temperature control. The hypothalamus does not control pulse,
respirations, or blood pressure.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:488
OBJ:Explain the principles and mechanism of thermoregulation.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
2. A patient presents with heatstroke. The nurse uses cool packs, cooling blanket, and a fan. Which
technique is the nurse using when the fan produces heat loss?
a.
Radiation
b.
Conduction
c.
Convection
d.
Evaporation
ANS: C
Convection is the transfer of heat away from the body by air movement. Conduction is the transfer of
heat from one object to another with direct contact. Radiation is the transfer of heat from the surface
of one object to the surface of another without direct contact between the two. Evaporation is the
transfer of heat energy when a liquid is changed to a gas.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:489
OBJ:Explain the principles and mechanism of thermoregulation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
3. The patient has a temperature of 105.2° F. The nurse is attempting to lower temperature by
providing tepid sponge baths and placing cool compresses in strategic body locations. Which
technique is the nurse using to lower the patient’s temperature?
a.
Radiation
b.
Conduction
c.
Convection
d.
Evaporation
ANS: B
Applying an ice pack or bathing a patient with a cool cloth increases conductive heat loss because of
the direct contact. Radiation is the transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of
another without direct contact between the two. Evaporation is the transfer of heat energy when a
liquid is changed to a gas. Convection is the transfer of heat away from the body by air movement.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:489
OBJ:Explain the principles and mechanism of thermoregulation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4. A nurse is focusing on temperature regulation of newborns and infants. Which action will the
nurse take?
a.
Apply just a diaper.
b.
Double the clothing.
c.
Place a cap on their heads.
d.
Increase room temperature to 90 degrees.
ANS: C
A newborn loses up to 30% of body heat through the head and therefore needs to wear a cap to
prevent heat loss. Temperature control mechanisms in newborns are immature and respond
drastically to changes in the environment; do not increase the room temperature to 90 degrees.
Take extra care to protect newborns from environmental temperatures. Provide adequate clothing;
do not double the clothing or apply just a diaper.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:489
OBJ: Describe nursing measures that promote heat loss and heat conservation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. The nurse is working the night shift on a surgical unit and is making 4:00 AM rounds. The nurse
notices that the patient’s temperature is 96.8° F (36° C), whereas at 4:00 PM the preceding day, it
was 98.6° F (37° C). What should the nurse do?
a.
Call the health care provider immediately to report a possible infection.
b.
Administer medication to lower the temperature further.
c.
Provide another blanket to conserve body temperature.
d.
Realize that this is a normal temperature variation.
ANS: D
Body temperature normally changes 0.5° to 1° C (0.9° to 1.8° F) during a 24-hour period and is
usually lowest between 1:00 and 4:00 AM, with a maximum temperature at 4:00 PM, making this
variation normal for the time of day. Unless the patient reports being cold, there is no physiological
need for providing an extra blanket or medication to lower the body temperature further. There is
also no need to call a health care provider to report a normal temperature variation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:490
OBJ: Describe nursing measures that promote heat loss and heat conservation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a temperature reading of 100.4° F (38° C). The patient’s
last two temperature readings were 98.6° F (37° C) and 96.8° F (36° C). Which action will the nurse
take?
a.
Wait 30 minutes and recheck the patient’s temperature.
b.
Assume that the patient has an infection and order blood cultures.
c.
Encourage the patient to move around to increase muscular activity.
d.
Be aware that temperatures this high are harmful and affect patient safety.
ANS: A
Waiting 30 minutes and rechecking the patient’s temperature would be the most appropriate action
in this case. A fever is usually not harmful if it stays below 102.2° F (39° C), and a single
temperature reading does not always indicate a fever. In addition to physical signs and symptoms of
infection, a fever determination is based on several temperature readings at different times of the
day compared with the usual value for that person at that time. Nurses should base actions on
knowledge, not on assumptions. Encouraging the patient to increase muscular activity will cause
heat production to increase up to 50 times normal. The temperature has decreased and a symptom
of infection would be an increase in temperature.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:490
OBJ: Describe nursing measures that promote heat loss and heat conservation.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
7. A patient is pyrexic. Which piece of equipment will the nurse obtain to monitor this condition?
a.
Stethoscope
b.
Thermometer
c.
Blood pressure cuff
d.
Sphygmomanometer
ANS: B
Pyrexia, or fever, occurs because heat loss mechanisms are unable to keep pace with excess heat
production, resulting in an abnormal rise in body temperature; therefore, a thermometer is needed. A
stethoscope is not used to take a temperature but can be used for apical pulse and blood pressure.
A pulse oximeter is used to determine oxygen content in the blood. A sphygmomanometer and blood
pressure cuff is used to determine blood pressure and will be used for blood pressure problems.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:490
OBJ: Discuss physiological changes associated with fever. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who has an elevated temperature. Which principle will the nurse
consider when planning care for this patient?
a.
Hyperthermia and fever are the same thing.
b.
Hyperthermia is an upward shift in the set point.
c.
Hyperthermia occurs when the body cannot reduce heat production.
d.
Hyperthermia results from a reduction in thermoregulatory mechanisms.
ANS: C
An elevated body temperature related to the inability of the body to promote heat loss or reduce heat
production is hyperthermia. Whereas fever is an upward shift in the set point, hyperthermia results
from an overload of the thermoregulatory mechanisms of the body.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:491
OBJ: Discuss physiological changes associated with fever. TOP: Planning
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
9. The patient with heart failure is restless with a temperature of 102.2° F (39° C). Which action will
the nurse take?
a.
Place the patient on oxygen.
b.
Encourage the patient to cough.
c.
Restrict the patient’s fluid intake.
d.
Increase the patient’s metabolic rate.
ANS: A
Interventions during a fever include oxygen therapy. During a fever, cellular metabolism increases
and oxygen consumption rises. Myocardial hypoxia produces angina. Cerebral hypoxia produces
confusion. Dehydration is a serious problem through increased respiration and diaphoresis. The
patient is at risk for fluid volume deficit. Fluids should not be restricted, even though the patient has
heart failure; the patient needs fluids at this time due to the fever. Increasing the metabolic rate
further would not be advisable. Coughing will increase muscular activity, which will increase fever.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:491
OBJ: Discuss physiological changes associated with fever. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
10. The patient requires temperatures to be taken every 2 hours. Which task will the nurse assign to
an RN?
a.
Using appropriate route and device
b.
Assessing changes in body temperature
c.
Being aware of the usual values for the patient
d.
Obtaining temperature measurement at ordered frequency
ANS: B
The nurse is responsible for assessing changes in body temperature. The nursing assistive
personnel can use the appropriate route and device to measure temperature, obtain temperature
measurement at ordered frequency, and be aware of the usual values for the patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:487 | 512
OBJ: Appropriately delegate measurement of vital signs to nursing assistive personnel.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
11. The patient requires routine temperature assessment but is confused, easily agitated, and has a
history of seizures. Which route will the nurse use to obtain the patient’s temperature?
a.
Oral
b.
Rectal
c.
Axillary
d.
Tympanic
ANS: D
The tympanic route is easily accessible, requires minimal patient repositioning, and often can be
used without disturbing the patient. It also has a very rapid measurement time. Oral temperatures
require patient cooperation and are not recommended for patients with a history of seizures. Rectal
temperatures require positioning and may increase patient agitation. Axillary temperatures need long
measurement times and continuous positioning. The patient’s agitation state may not allow for long
periods of attention.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:493
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. The patient is being admitted to the emergency department following a motor vehicle accident.
The patient’s jaw is broken with several broken teeth. The patient is ashen, has cool skin, and is
diaphoretic. Which route will the nurse use to obtain an accurate temperature reading?
a.
Oral
b.
Axillary
c.
Tympanic
d.
Temporal
ANS: C
The tympanic route is the best choice in this situation. Oral temperatures are not used for patients
who have had oral surgery, trauma, history of epilepsy, or shaking chills. Axillary temperature is
affected by exposure to the environment, including time to place the thermometer. It also requires a
long measurement time. Temporal artery temperature is affected by skin moisture such as
diaphoresis or sweating.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:493
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. The nurse is caring for an infant and is obtaining the patient’s vital signs. Which artery will the
nurse use to best obtain the infant’s pulse?
a.
Radial
b.
Brachial
c.
Femoral
d.
Popliteal
ANS: B
The brachial or apical pulse is the best site for assessing an infant’s or a young child’s pulse
because other peripheral pulses such as the radial, femoral, and popliteal arteries are deep and
difficult to palpate accurately.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:497
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. The patient is found to be unresponsive and not breathing. Which pulse site will the nurse use?
a.
Radial
b.
Apical
c.
Carotid
d.
Brachial
ANS: C
The heart continues to deliver blood through the carotid artery to the brain as long as possible. The
carotid pulse is easily accessible during physiological shock or cardiac arrest. The radial pulse is
used to assess peripheral circulation or to assess the status of circulation to the hand. The brachial
site is used to assess the status of circulation to the lower arm. The apical pulse is used to
auscultate the apical area.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:497-498
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Physiological Adaptation
15. The nurse needs to obtain a radial pulse from a patient. What must the nurse do to obtain a
correct measurement?
a.
Place the tips of the first two fingers over the groove along the thumb side of the patient’s wrist.
b.
Place the tips of the first two fingers over the groove along the little finger side of the patient’s wrist.
c.
Place the thumb over the groove along the little finger side of the patient’s wrist.
d.
Place the thumb over the groove along the thumb side of the patient’s wrist.
ANS: A
Place the tips of the first two or middle three fingers of the hand over the groove along the radial or
thumb side of the patient’s inner wrist. Fingertips are the most sensitive parts of the hand to palpate
arterial pulsation. The thumb has a pulsation that interferes with accuracy. The groove along the little
finger is the ulnar pulse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:498 | 518
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
16. The nurse is assessing the patient’s respirations. Which action by the nurse is mostappropriate?
a.
Inform the patient that she is counting respirations.
b.
Do not touch the patient until completed.
c.
Obtain without the patient knowing.
d.
Estimate respirations.
ANS: C
Do not let a patient know that you are assessing respirations. A patient aware of the assessment can
alter the rate and depth of breathing. Assess respirations immediately after measuring pulse rate,
with your hand still on the patient’s wrist as it rests over the chest or abdomen. Respirations are the
easiest of all vital signs to assess, but they are often the most haphazardly measured. Do not
estimate respirations.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:501
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. The patient’s blood pressure is 140/60. Which value will the nurse record for the pulse pressure?
a.
60
b.
80
c.
140
d.
200
ANS: B
The difference between the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure is the pulse pressure. For a
blood pressure of 140/60, the pulse pressure is 80 (140 − 60 = 80). 140 is the systolic pressure. 60
is the diastolic pressure. 200 is the systolic (140) added to the diastolic (60), but this has no clinical
significance.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:503
OBJ:Explain the physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and
respirations.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. The nurse reviews the laboratory results for a patient and determines the viscosity of the blood is
thick. Which laboratory result did the nurse check?
a.
Arterial blood gas
b.
Blood culture
c.
Hematocrit
d.
Potassium
ANS: C
The hematocrit, or the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, determines blood viscosity. Blood
cultures determine the causative agent of an infection. Abnormal potassium levels can cause
dysrhythmias. Arterial blood gases determine acid-base balance or the pH levels of the blood.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:503
OBJ: Explain the physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and
respirations. TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
19. The patient is being admitted to the emergency department with reports of shortness of breath.
The patient has had chronic lung disease for many years but still smokes. What will the nurse do?
a.
Allow the patient to breathe into a paper bag.
b.
Use oxygen cautiously in this patient.
c.
Administer high levels of oxygen.
d.
Give CO2 via mask.
ANS: B
Oxygen must be used cautiously in these types of patients. Hypoxemia helps to control ventilation in
patients with chronic lung disease. Because low levels of arterial O2 provide the stimulus that allows
a patient to breathe, administration of high oxygen levels may be fatal for patients with chronic lung
disease. Patients with chronic lung disease have ongoing hypercarbia (elevated CO2 levels) and do
not need to have CO2 administered or “rebreathed” with a paper bag.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:500
OBJ: Explain the physiology of normal regulation of blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and
respirations. TOP: Implementation MSC: Physiological Adaptation
20. A nurse is reviewing capnography results for adult patients. Which value will cause the nurse to
follow up?
a.
35 mm Hg
b.
40 mm Hg
c.
45 mm Hg
d.
50 mm Hg
ANS: D
50 mm Hg is abnormal so the nurse will follow up. Normal capnography results are 35 to 45 mm Hg.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:487
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
21. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a pulse rate of 48. His blood pressure is within normal
limits. Which finding will help the nurse determine the cause of the patient’s low heart rate?
a.
The patient has a fever.
b.
The patient has possible hemorrhage or bleeding.
c.
The patient has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
d.
The patient has calcium channel blockers or digitalis medication prescriptions.
ANS: D
Negative chronotropic drugs such as digitalis, beta-adrenergic agents, and calcium channel blockers
can slow down pulse rate. Fever, bleeding, hemorrhage, and COPD all increase the body’s need for
oxygen, leading to an increased heart rate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:499
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
22. The patient was found unresponsive in an apartment and is being brought to the emergency
department. The patient has arm, hand, and leg edema, temperature is 95.6° F, and hands are cold
secondary to a history of peripheral vascular disease. It is reported that the patient has a latex
allergy. What should the nurse do to quickly measure the patient’s oxygen saturation?
a.
Attach a finger probe to the patient’s index finger.
b.
Place a nonadhesive sensor on the patient’s earlobe.
c.
Attach a disposable adhesive sensor to the bridge of the patient’s nose.
d.
Place the sensor on the same arm that the electronic blood pressure cuff is on.
ANS: B
A nonadhesive sensor is best for latex allergy, and the earlobe site is the best choice for this patient
with peripheral vascular disease and edema. Select forehead, ear or bridge of nose if an adult
patient has a history of peripheral vascular disease. Do not attach probe to finger, ear, forehead, or
bridge of nose if area is edematous or skin integrity is compromised. Do not use disposable
adhesive probes if the patient has latex allergy. Do not attach probe to fingers that are hypothermic.
Do not place the sensor on the same extremity as the electronic blood pressure cuff because blood
flow to the finger will be temporarily interrupted when the cuff inflates.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:524
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
23. The patient is admitted with shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Which laboratory value
could account for the patient’s symptoms?
a.
Red blood cell count of 5.0 million/mm3
b.
Hemoglobin level of 8.0 g/100 mL
c.
Hematocrit level of 45%
d.
Pulse oximetry of 95%
ANS: B
The concentration of hemoglobin reflects the patient’s capacity to carry oxygen, which if low can lead
to shortness of breath and chest discomfort. Normal hemoglobin levels range from 14 to 18 g/100
mL in males and from 12 to 16 g/100 mL in females. Hemoglobin of 8.0 is low and indicates a
decreased ability to deliver oxygen to meet bodily needs. All other values in the selection are
considered normal.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:501 | 522
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
24. A nurse reviews blood pressures of several patients. Which finding will the nurse report as
prehypertension?
a.
98/50 in a 7-year-old child
b.
115/70 in an infant
c.
120/80 in a middle-aged adult
d.
146/90 in an older adult
ANS: C
An adult’s blood pressure tends to rise with advancing age. The optimal blood pressure for a
healthy, middle-aged adult is less than 120/80. Values of 120 to 139/80 to 89 mm Hg are considered
prehypertension. Blood pressure greater than 140/90 is defined as hypertension. Blood pressure of
98/50 is normal for a child, whereas 115/70 can be normal for an infant.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:504-505
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
25. The nurse is providing a blood pressure clinic for the community. Which group will the
nurse most likely address?
a.
Non-Hispanic Caucasians
b.
European Americans
c.
African-Americans
d.
Asian Americans
ANS: C
The incidence of hypertension is greater in diabetic patients, older adults, and African-Americans.
The incidence of hypertension (high BP) is higher in African-Americans than in European Americans.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:504-505
OBJ: Describe cultural and ethnic variations with blood pressure assessment.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
26. A nurse is caring for a patient who smokes and drinks caffeine. Which point is important for the
nurse to understand before assessing the patient’s blood pressure (BP)?
a.
Smoking increases BP for up to 3 hours.
b.
Caffeine increases BP for up to 15 minutes.
c.
Smoking result in vasoconstriction, falsely elevating BP.
d.
Caffeine intake should not have occurred 30 to 40 minutes before BP measurement.
ANS: C
Smoking results in vasoconstriction, a narrowing of blood vessels. BP rises when a person smokes
and returns to baseline about 15-20 minutes after stopping smoking. Caffeine increases BP for up to
3 hours. Be sure that patient has not ingested caffeine or smoked 20 to 30 minutes before BP
measurement.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:504
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
27. When taking the pulse of an infant, the nurse notices that the rate is 145 beats/min and the
rhythm is regular. How should the nurse interpret this finding?
a.
This is normal for an infant.
b.
This is too fast for an infant.
c.
This is too slow for an infant.
d.
This is not a rate for an infant but for a toddler.
ANS: A
The normal rate for an infant is 120 to 160 beats/min. The rate obtained (145 beats/min) is within the
normal range for an infant. The normal rate for a toddler is between 90 and 140 beats/min; 145 is too
high for a toddler.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:499
OBJ: Identify ranges of acceptable vital sign values for an infant, a child, and an adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
28. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient and notes that the temperature is 96.8° F (36° C).
How will the nurse interpret this finding?
a.
The patient has hyperthermia.
b.
The patient has a normal temperature.
c.
The patient is suffering from hypothermia.
d.
The patient is demonstrating increased metabolism.
ANS: B
The average body temperature of older adults is approximately 35° to 36.1° C (95° to 97° F). This is
not hypothermia or hyperthermia. Older adults have poor vasomotor control, reduced amounts of
subcutaneous tissue, reduced sweat gland activity, and reduced metabolism. The end result is
lowered body temperature.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:489
OBJ: Identify ranges of acceptable vital sign values for an infant, a child, and an adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
29. When assessing the temperature of newborns and children, the nurse decides to utilize a
temporal artery thermometer. What is the rationale for the nurse’s action?
a.
It is not affected by skin moisture.
b.
It has no risk of injury to patient or nurse.
c.
It reflects rapid changes in radiant temperature.
d.
It is accurate even when the forehead is covered with hair.
ANS: B
The temporal artery thermometer is especially beneficial when used in premature infants, newborns,
and children because there is no risk of injury to the patient or nurse. Temporal artery temperature is
a reliable noninvasive measure of core temperature. However, it is inaccurate with head covering or
hair on the forehead and is affected by skin moisture such as diaphoresis, or sweating. It provides
very rapid measurement and reflects rapid changes in core temperature, not radiant temperature.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:493
OBJ: Explain variations in technique used to assess an infant’s, a child’s, and an adult’s vital signs.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
30. The nurse is caring for a small child and needs to obtain vital signs. Which site choice from the
nursing assistive personnel (NAP) will cause the nurse to praise the NAP?
a.
Ulnar site
b.
Radial site
c.
Brachial site
d.
Femoral site
ANS: C
The nurse will praise the NAP when obtaining the pulse from the brachial site. The brachial or apical
pulse is the best site for assessing an infant’s or a young child’s pulse because other peripheral
pulses are deep and difficult to palpate accurately.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:497
OBJ: Explain variations in technique used to assess an infant’s, a child’s, and an adult’s vital signs.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
31. The nurse is caring for a newborn infant in the hospital nursery and notices that the infant is
breathing rapidly but is pink, warm, and dry. Which normal respiratory rate will the nurse consider
when planning care for this newborn?
a.
30 to 60
b.
22 to 28
c.
16 to 20
d.
10 to 15
ANS: A
The acceptable respiratory rate range for a newborn is 30 to 60 breaths/min. An infant (6 months) is
expected to have a rate between 30 and 50 breaths/min. A toddler’s respiratory range is 25 to 32
breaths/min. A child should breathe 20 to 30 times a minute. An adolescent should breathe 16 to 20
times a minute. An adult should breathe 12 to 20 times a minute.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:501
OBJ: Explain variations in technique used to assess an infant’s, a child’s, and an adult’s vital signs.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
32. The nurse is preparing to obtain an oxygen saturation reading on a toddler. Which action will the
nurse take?
a.
Secure the sensor to the toddler’s earlobe.
b.
Determine whether the toddler has a latex allergy.
c.
Place the sensor on the bridge of the toddler’s nose.
d.
Overlook variations between an oximeter pulse rate and the toddler’s pulse rate.
ANS: B
The nurse should determine whether the patient has latex allergy because disposable adhesive
probes should not be used on patients with latex allergies. Earlobe and bridge of the nose sensors
should not be used on infants and toddlers because of skin fragility. Oximeter pulse rate and the
patient’s apical pulse rate should be the same. Any difference requires re-evaluation of oximeter
sensor probe placement and reassessment of pulse rates.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:524
OBJ: Explain variations in technique used to assess an infant’s, a child’s, and an adult’s vital signs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
33. The nurse is preparing to assess the blood pressure of a 3-year-old. How should the nurse
proceed?
a.
Use the diaphragm portion of the stethoscope to detect Korotkoff sounds.
b.
Obtain the reading before the child has a chance to “settle down.”
c.
Choose the cuff that says “Child” instead of “Infant.”
d.
Explain the procedure to the child.
ANS: D
The child’s cooperation is increased when you or the parent have prepared the child for the unusual
sensation of the BP cuff. Most children understand the analogy of a “tight hug on your arm.” Different
arm sizes require careful and appropriate cuff size selection. Do not choose a cuff based on the
name of the cuff. An “Infant” cuff is too small for some infants. Readings are difficult to obtain in
restless or anxious infants and children. Allow at least 15 minutes for children to recover from recent
activities and become less apprehensive. Korotkoff sounds are difficult to hear in children because of
low frequency and amplitude. A pediatric stethoscope bell is often helpful.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:507
OBJ: Explain variations in technique used to assess an infant’s, a child’s, and an adult’s vital signs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
34. A nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A crying infant with P-165 and R-54
b.
A sleeping toddler with P-88 and R-23
c.
A calm adolescent with P-95 and R-26
d.
An exercising adult with P-108 and R-24
ANS: C
A calm adolescent should have the following findings: P—60-90 and R—16-20. Since both findings
are elevated, the nurse should see this patient first. An infant should have the following findings: P—
120-160 and R—30-50; however, since the infant is crying these values will be elevated and this is
normal. A toddler should have the following findings: P—90-140 and R—25-32; however, since the
toddler is sleeping these values can be slightly decreased and this is normal. An adult should have
the following findings: P—60-100 and R—12-20; however, since the adult is exercising these values
will be elevated and this is normal.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:499 | 501
OBJ: Identify ranges of acceptable vital sign values for an infant, a child, and an adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
35. The nurse is caring for a patient who is being discharged from the hospital after being treated for
hypertension. The patient is instructed to take blood pressure 3 times a day and to keep a record of
the readings. The nurse recommends that the patient purchase a portable electronic blood pressure
device. Which other information will the nurse share with the patient?
a.
You can apply the cuff in any manner.
b.
You will need to recalibrate the machine.
c.
You can move your arm during the reading.
d.
You will need to use a stethoscope properly.
ANS: B
Electronic devices are easier to manipulate but require frequent recalibration—more than once a
year. Because of their sensitivity, improper cuff placement or movement of the arm causes electronic
devices to give incorrect readings. The portable home devices include the aneroid
sphygmomanometer and electronic digital readout devices that do not require the use of a
stethoscope. The cuff will need to be applied correctly, and the patient’s arm needs to be still during
the reading.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:510
OBJ: Describe the benefits and precautions involving self-measurement of blood pressure.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
36. The nurse is caring for a patient who reports feeling light-headed and “woozy.” The nurse checks
the patient’s pulse and finds that it is irregular. The patient’s blood pressure is 100/72. It was 113/80
an hour earlier. What should the nurse do?
a.
Apply more pressure to the radial artery to feel pulse.
b.
Perform an apical/radial pulse assessment.
c.
Call the health care provider immediately.
d.
Obtain arterial blood gases.
ANS: B
If the pulse is irregular, do an apical/radial pulse assessment to detect a pulse deficit. If pulse count
differs by more than 2, a pulse deficit exists, which sometimes indicates alterations in cardiac output.
The nurse needs to gather as much information as possible before calling the health care provider.
The radial pulse is more accurately assessed with moderate pressure. Too much pressure occludes
the pulse and impairs blood flow. Arterial blood gases is a laboratory test that measures blood pH
and oxygenation status. Arterial blood gases would be appropriate if respirations were abnormal or if
pulse oximetry results were severely low.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:519
OBJ: Identify when to measure vital signs. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
37. A nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A 17-year-old male who has just returned from outside “for a smoke” who needs a temperature taken
b.
A 20-year-old male postoperative patient whose blood pressure went from 128/70 to 100/60
c.
A 27-year-old male patient reporting pain whose blood pressure went from 124/70 to 130/74
d.
An 87-year-old male suspected of hypothermia whose temperature is below normal
ANS: B
When a blood pressure drops in a postoperative patient, bleeding may be occurring and lead to
shock. The nurse should assess this patient first. Pain will cause the blood pressure to elevate so
this is an expected finding, and while it does need to be assessed, it is not the first one to assess. A
teenager who has returned from smoking will have to wait at least 20 minutes before a temperature
can be taken, so this is not the first one to see. A patient with hypothermia is expected to have a
temperature below normal, so this is not the first one to see.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:503-505
OBJ: Identify when to measure vital signs. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
38. The health care provider prescription reads “Metoprolol (Lopressor) 50 mg PO daily. Do not give
if blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg systolic.” The patient’s blood pressure is 92/66. The nurse
does not give the medication. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Documents that the medication was not given because of low blood pressure
b.
Does not inform the health care provider that the medication was held
c.
Does not tell the patient what the blood pressure is
d.
Documents only what the blood pressure was.
ANS: A
The nurse must document any interventions initiated as a result of vital sign measurement such as
holding an antihypertensive drug. The nurse should inform the patient of the blood pressure value
and the need for periodic reassessment of the blood pressure. Documenting the blood pressure only
is not sufficient. Any intervention must be documented as well. Abnormal findings must be reported
to the nurse in charge or to the health care provider.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:510
OBJ:Accurately record and report vital sign measurements.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
39. After taking the patient’s temperature, the nurse documents the value and the route used to
obtain the reading. What is the reason for the nurse’s action?
a.
Temperatures vary depending on the route used.
b.
Temperatures are readings of core measurements.
c.
Rectal temperatures are cooler than when taken orally.
d.
Axillary temperatures are higher than oral temperatures.
ANS: A
Temperatures obtained vary depending on the site used. Rectal temperatures are usually 0.5° C
(0.9° F) higher than oral temperatures, and axillary temperatures are usually 0.5° C (0.9° F) lower
than oral temperatures. There are core temperature readings and body surface readings.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:492
OBJ: Accurately record and report vital sign measurements. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
40. When taking an adult blood pressure, the onset of the sound the nurse hears is at 138, the
muffled sound the nurse hears is at 70, and the disappearance of the sound the nurse hears is at 62.
How should the nurse record this finding?
a.
68
b.
76
c.
138/62
d.
138/70
ANS: C
138/62 is the correct reading. The fifth sound marks the disappearance of sound. In adolescents and
adults the fifth sound corresponds with the diastolic pressure. The fourth sound becomes muffled
and low pitched as the cuff is further deflated. At this point the cuff pressure has fallen below the
pressure within the vessel walls; this sound is the diastolic pressure in infants and children. 68 is the
pulse pressure of 138/70; 76 is the pulse pressure for 138/62.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:507 | 528
OBJ:Accurately record and report vital sign measurements.
TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
41. The nursing assistive personnel (NAP) is taking vital signs and reports that a patient’s blood
pressure is abnormally low. What should the nurse do next?
a.
Ask the NAP retake the blood pressure.
b.
Instruct the NAP to assess the patient’s other vital signs.
c.
Disregard the report and have it rechecked at the next scheduled time.
d.
Retake the blood pressure personally and assess the patient’s condition.
ANS: D
The nursing assistive personnel should report abnormalities to the nurse, who should further assess
the patient. The nursing assistive personnel should not retake the blood pressure or other vital signs
because the nurse needs to assess the patient. The report cannot be disregarded. Assessment must
be done by the nurse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:492 | 525
OBJ: Appropriately delegate measurement of vital signs to nursing assistive personnel.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is working in the intensive care unit and must obtain core temperatures on patients.
Which sites can be used to obtain a core temperature? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Rectal
b.
Tympanic
c.
Esophagus
d.
Temporal artery
e.
Pulmonary artery
ANS: B, C, E
Intensive care units use the core temperatures of the pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary
bladder. Because the tympanic membrane shares the same arterial blood supply as the
hypothalamus, the tympanic temperature is a core temperature. Temporal artery measurements
detect the temperature of cutaneous blood flow. Oral, rectal, axillary, and skin temperature sites rely
on effective blood circulation at the measurement site.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:492
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
2. The patient has new-onset restlessness and confusion. Pulse rate is elevated, as is respiratory
rate. Oxygen saturation is 94%. The nurse ignores the pulse oximeter reading and calls the health
care provider for orders because the pulse oximetry reading is inaccurate. Which factors can cause
inaccurate pulse oximetry readings? (Select all that apply.)
a.
O2 saturations (SaO2) > 70%
b.
Carbon monoxide inhalation
c.
Hypothermic fingers
d.
Intravascular dyes
e.
Nail polish
f.
Jaundice
ANS: B, C, D, E, F
Inaccurate pulse oximetry readings can be caused by outside light sources, carbon monoxide
(caused by smoke inhalation or poisoning), patient motion, jaundice, intravascular dyes (methylene
blue), nail polish, artificial nails, metal studs, or dark skin. SpO2 is a reliable estimate of SaO2 when
the SaO2 is over 70%.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:503
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
3. The nurse is assessing the patient and family for probable familial causes of the patient’s
hypertension. The nurse begins by analyzing the patient’s personal history, as well as family history
and current lifestyle situation. Which findings will the nurse consider to be risk factors? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Obesity
b.
Cigarette smoking
c.
Recent weight loss
d.
Heavy alcohol intake
e.
Regular exercise sessions
ANS: A, B, D
Obesity, cigarette smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption are risk factors linked to hypertension.
Weight loss and regular exercise can decrease the risk for hypertension.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:505
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. The patient is being encouraged to purchase a portable automatic blood pressure device to
monitor blood pressure at home. Which information will the nurse present as benefits for this type of
treatment? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Patients can actively participate in their treatment.
b.
Self-monitoring helps with compliance and treatment.
c.
The risk of obtaining an inaccurate reading is decreased.
d.
Blood pressures can be obtained if pulse rates become irregular.
e.
Patients can provide information about patterns to health care providers.
ANS: A, B, E
Self-measurement of blood pressure has several benefits. Sometimes elevated blood pressure is
detected in persons previously unaware of a problem. Persons with prehypertension provide
information about the pattern of blood pressure values to their health care provider. Patients with
hypertension benefit from participating actively in their treatment through self-monitoring, which
promotes compliance with treatment. Disadvantages of self-measurement include the risk of
inaccurate readings. Electronic devices are not recommended if the patient has an irregular heart
rate.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:509-510
OBJ: Describe the benefits and precautions involving self-measurement of blood pressure.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A nurse is teaching the staff about alterations in breathing patterns. Which information will the
nurse include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Apnea—no respirations
b.
Tachypnea—regular, rapid respirations
c.
Kussmaul’s—abnormally deep, regular, fast respirations
d.
Hyperventilation—labored, increased in depth and rate respirations
e.
Cheyne-Stokes—abnormally slow and depressed ventilation respirations
f.
Biot’s—irregular with alternating periods of apnea and hyperventilation respirations
ANS: A, B, C
Apnea—Respirations cease for several seconds. Persistent cessation results in respiratory arrest.
Tachypnea—Rate of breathing is regular but abnormally rapid (greater than 20 breaths/min).
Kussmaul’s—Respirations are abnormally deep, regular, and increased in rate. Hyperventilation—
Rate and depth of respirations increase; breaths are not labored. Hypocarbia sometimes occurs.
Cheyne-Stokes—Respiratory rate and depth are irregular, characterized by alternating periods of
apnea and hyperventilation. Biot’s—Respirations are abnormally shallow for 2 to 3 breaths followed
by irregular period of apnea.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:502
OBJ: Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation,
respirations, capnography, and blood pressure. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is assessing results of vital signs for a group of patients. Match the condition to the
assessment findings the nurse is reviewing.
a.
Patient’s temperature is 113° F (45° C) with hot, dry skin.
b.
Patient’s blood pressure sitting is 130/60 and 110/40 standing.
c.
Patient’s pulse is 110 beats/min.
d.
Patient’s temperature is 93.2° F (34° C).
e.
Patient’s blood pressure went from 126/76 to 90/50.
1. Hypothermia
2. Shock/Hypotension
3. Heatstroke
4. Orthostatic hypotension
5. Tachycardia
1.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:491 | 499 | 505
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
2.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:491 | 499 | 505
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
3.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:491 | 499 | 505
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
4.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:491 | 499 | 505
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
5.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:491 | 499 | 505
OBJ: Accurately assess body temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, and blood
pressure.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
Chapter 31: Health Assessment and Physical
Examination
Chapter 31: Health Assessment and Physical Examination
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is a preceptor for a nurse who just graduated from nursing school. When caring for a
patient, the new graduate nurse begins to explain to the patient the purpose of completing a physical
assessment. Which statement made by the new graduate nurse requires the preceptor to intervene?
a. “I will use the information from my assessment to figure out if your antihypertensive medication is working effectively.”
b. “Nursing assessment data are used only to provide information about the effectiveness of your medical care.”
c. “Nurses use data from their patient’s physical assessment to determine a patient’s educational needs.”
d. “Information gained from physical assessment helps nurses better understand their patients’ emotional needs.”
ANS: B
Nursing assessment data are used to evaluate the effectiveness of all aspects of a patient’s care,
not just the patient’s medical care. Assessment data help to evaluate the effectiveness of
medications and to determine a patient’s health care needs, including the need for patient education.
Nurses also use assessment data to identify patients’ psychosocial and cultural needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:533-534
OBJ:Discuss the purposes of physical assessment.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Management of Care
2. Having misplaced a stethoscope, a nurse borrows a colleague’s stethoscope. The nurse next
enters the patient’s room and identifies self, washes hands with soap, and states the purpose of the
visit. The nurse performs proper identification of the patient before auscultating the patient’s lungs.
Which critical health assessment step should the nurse have performed?
a.
Running warm water over stethoscope
b.
Draping stethoscope around the neck
c.
Rubbing stethoscope with betadine
d.
Cleaning stethoscope with alcohol
ANS: D
Bacteria and viruses can be transferred from patient to patient when a stethoscope that is not clean
is used. The stethoscope should be cleaned before use on each patient with isopropyl alcohol.
Running water over the stethoscope does not kill bacteria. Betadine is an inappropriate cleaning
solution and may damage the equipment. Draping the stethoscope around the neck is not advised.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:541
OBJ:Make environmental preparations before an examination.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
3. A nurse is preparing to perform a complete physical examination on a weak, older-adult patient
with bilateral basilar pneumonia. Which position will the nurse use?
a.
Prone
b.
Sims’
c.
Supine
d.
Lateral recumbent
ANS: C
Supine is the most normally relaxed position. If the patient becomes short of breath easily, raise the
head of the bed. Supine position would be easiest for a weak, older-adult person during the
examination. Lateral recumbent and prone positions cause respiratory difficulty for any patient with
respiratory difficulties. Sims’ position is used for assessment of the rectum and the vagina.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:536
OBJ: List techniques for preparing a patient physically and psychologically before and during an
examination. TOP: Planning MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
4. A nurse is conducting Weber’s test. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Place a vibrating tuning fork in the middle of patient’s forehead.
b.
Place a vibrating tuning fork on the patient’s mastoid process.
c.
Compare the number of seconds heard by bone versus air conduction.
d.
Compare the patient’s degree of joint movement to the normal level.
ANS: A
During Weber’s test (lateralization of sound), the nurse places the vibrating tuning fork in the middle
of the patient’s forehead. During a Rinne test (comparison of air and bone conduction), the nurse
places a vibrating tuning fork on the patient’s mastoid process and compares the length of time air
and bone conduction is heard. Comparing the patient’s degree of joint movement to the normal level
is a test for range of motion.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:560
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A head and neck physical examination is completed on a 50-year-old female patient. All physical
findings are normal except for fine brittle hair. Which laboratory test will the nurse expect to be
ordered, based upon the physical findings?
a.
Oxygen saturation
b.
Liver function test
c.
Carbon monoxide
d.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone test
ANS: D
Thyroid disease can make hair thin and brittle. Liver function testing is indicated for a patient who
has jaundice. Oxygen saturation will be used for cyanosis. Cherry-colored lips indicate carbon
monoxide poisoning.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:549 | 565
OBJ: Identify ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
TOP: Planning MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
6. A febrile preschool-aged child presents to the after-hours clinic. Varicella (chickenpox) is
diagnosed on the basis of the illness history and the presence of small, circumscribed skin lesions
filled with serous fluid. Which type of skin lesion will the nurse report?
a.
Vesicles
b.
Wheals
c.
Papules
d.
Pustules
ANS: A
Vesicles are circumscribed, elevated skin lesions filled with serous fluid that measure less than 1
cm. Wheals are irregularly shaped, elevated areas of superficial localized edema that vary in size.
They are common with mosquito bites and hives. Papules are palpable, circumscribed, solid
elevations in the skin that are smaller than 1 cm. Pustules are elevations of skin similar to vesicles,
but they are filled with pus and vary in size like acne.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:549
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Physiological Adaptation
7. A school nurse recognizes a belt buckle–shaped ecchymosis on a 7-year-old student. When
privately asked about how the injury occurred, the student described falling on the playground.
Which action will the nurse take next?
a.
Talk to the principal about how to proceed.
b.
Disregard the finding based upon child’s response.
c.
Interview the patient in the presence of the teacher.
d.
Contact social services and report suspected abuse.
ANS: D
Most states mandate a report to a social service center if nurses suspect abuse or neglect. When
abuse is suspected, the nurse interviews the patient in private, not with a teacher. Observe the
behavior of the individual for any signs of frustration, explanations that do not fit his or her physical
presentation, or signs of injury. The nurse knows how to proceed and does not need to talk to the
principal about what to do. Disregarding the finding is not advised because victims often will not
complain or report that they are in an abusive situation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:542
OBJ: Identify ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
8. A nurse identifies lice during a child’s scalp assessment. The nurse teaches the parents about
hair care. Which information from the parents indicates the nurse needs to follow up?
a.
We will use lindane-based shampoos.
b.
We will use the sink to wash hair.
c.
We will use a fine-toothed comb.
d.
We will use a vinegar hair rinse.
ANS: A
Products containing lindane, a toxic ingredient, often cause adverse reactions; the nurse will need to
follow up to correct the misconception. All the rest are correct. Instruct parents who have children
with head lice to shampoo thoroughly with pediculicide (shampoo available at drugstores) in cold
water at a basin or sink, comb thoroughly with a fine-toothed comb, and discard the comb. A dilute
solution of vinegar and water helps loosen nits.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:551
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
9. A parent calls the school nurse with questions regarding the recent school vision screening.
Snellen chart examination revealed 20/60 for both eyes. Which response by the nurse is
the best regarding the eye examination results?
a.
Your child needs to see an ophthalmologist.
b.
Your child is suffering from strabismus.
c.
Your child may have presbyopia.
d.
Your child has cataracts.
ANS: A
The child needs an eye examination with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Normal vision is 20/20.
The larger the denominator, the poorer the patient’s visual acuity. For example, a value of 20/60
means that the patient, when standing 20 feet away, can read a line that a person with normal vision
can read from 60 feet away. Strabismus is a (congenital) condition in which both eyes do not focus
on an object simultaneously: The eyes appear crossed. Acuity may not be affected; Snellen test
does not test for strabismus. Presbyopia is impaired near vision that occurs in middle-aged and older
adults and is caused by loss of elasticity of the lens. Cataracts, a clouding of the lens, develop slowly
and progressively after age 35 or suddenly after trauma.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:554
OBJ: Identify preventive screenings and the appropriate age(s) for each screening to occur.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. During a routine pediatric history and physical, the parents report that their child was a very
small, premature infant that had to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit longer than usual. They
state that the infant was yellow when born and developed an infection that required “every antibiotic
under the sun” to reach a cure. Which exam is a priority for the nurse to conduct on the child?
a.
Cardiac
b.
Respiratory
c.
Ophthalmic
d.
Hearing acuity
ANS: D
Hearing is the priority. Risk factors for hearing problems include low birth weight, nonbacterial
intrauterine infection, and excessively high bilirubin levels. Hearing loss due to ototoxicity (injury to
auditory nerves) can result from high maintenance doses of antibiotics. Cardiac, respiratory, and eye
examinations are important assessments but are not relevant to this child’s condition.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:558-559
OBJ: Identify data to collect from the nursing history before an examination.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. During a sexually transmitted illness presentation to high-school students, the nurse
recommends the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series. Which condition is the nurse trying to
prevent?
a.
Breast cancer
b.
Ovarian cancer
c.
Cervical cancer
d.
Testicular cancer
ANS: C
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases the person’s risk for cervical cancer. HPV vaccine
is recommended for females aged 11 to 12 years but can be given to females ages 12 through 26;
males can also receive the vaccine. HPV is not a risk factor for breast, ovarian, and testicular
cancer.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:590 | 592
OBJ: Identify preventive screenings and the appropriate age(s) for each screening to occur.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. A male student comes to the college health clinic. He hesitantly describes that he found
something wrong with his testis when taking a shower. Which assessment finding will alert the nurse
to possible testicular cancer?
a.
Hard, pea-sized testicular lump
b.
Rubbery texture of testes
c.
Painful enlarged testis
d.
Prolonged diuretic use
ANS: A
The most common symptoms of testicular cancer are a painless enlargement of one testis and the
appearance of a palpable, small, hard lump, about the size of a pea, on the front or side of the
testicle. Normally, the testes feel smooth, rubbery, and free of nodules. Use of diuretics, sedatives,
or antihypertensives can lead to erection or ejaculation problems.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:592-593
OBJ: Identify self-screening examinations commonly performed by patients.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. The nurse is urgently called to the gymnasium regarding an injured student. The student is
crying in severe pain with a malformed fractured lower leg. Which proper sequence will the nurse
follow to perform the initial assessment?
a.
Light palpation, deep palpation, and inspection
b.
Inspection, light palpation, and deep palpation
c.
Auscultation and light palpation
d.
Inspection and light palpation
ANS: D
Inspection is the use of vision and hearing to distinguish normal from abnormal findings. Light
palpation determines areas of tenderness and skin temperature, moisture, and texture. Deep
palpation is used to examine the condition of organs, such as those in the abdomen. Caution is the
rule with deep palpation. Deep palpation is performed after light palpation; however, deep palpation
is not performed on a fractured leg. Auscultation is used to evaluate sound and is not used to assess
a fractured leg.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:539-540
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. The nurse is examining a female with vaginal discharge. Which position will the nurse place the
patient for proper examination?
a.
Sitting
b.
Lithotomy
c.
Knee-chest
d.
Dorsal recumbent
ANS: B
Lithotomy is the position for examination of female genitalia. The lithotomy position provides for the
maximum exposure of genitalia and allows the insertion of a vaginal speculum. Sitting does not allow
adequate access for speculum insertion and is better used to visualize upper body parts. Dorsal
recumbent is used to examine the head and neck, anterior thorax and lungs, breasts, axillae, heart,
and abdomen. Knee-chest provides maximal exposure of the rectal area but is embarrassing and
uncomfortable.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:536 | 589
OBJ:List techniques for preparing a patient physically and psychologically before and during an
examination.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. On admission, a patient weighs 250 pounds. The weight is recorded as 256 pounds on the
second inpatient day. Which condition will the nurse assess for in this patient?
a.
Anorexia
b.
Weight loss
c.
Fluid retention
d.
Increased nutritional intake
ANS: C
This patient has gained 6 pounds in a 24-hour period. A weight gain of 5 pounds (2.3 kg) or more in
a day indicates fluid retention problems, not nutritional intake. A weight loss is considered significant
if the patient has lost more than 5% of body weight in a month or 10% in 6 months. A downward
trend may indicate a reduction in nutritional reserves that may be caused by decreased intake such
as anorexia.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:542
OBJ: Identify ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
16. The patient is a 45-year-old African-American male who has come in for a routine annual
physical. Which type of preventive screening does the nurse discuss with the patient?
a.
Digital rectal examination of the prostate
b.
Complete eye examination every year
c.
CA 125 blood test once a year
d.
Colonoscopy every 3 years
ANS: A
Recommended preventive screenings include a digital rectal examination of the prostate and
prostate-specific antigen test starting at age 50. CA 125 blood tests are indicated for women at high
risk for ovarian cancer. Patients over the age of 65 need to have complete eye examinations yearly.
Colonoscopy every 10 years is recommended in patients 50 years of age and older.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:538 | 595
OBJ: Discuss ways to incorporate health promotion and health teaching into an examination.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. An advanced practice nurse is preparing to assess the external genitalia of a 25-year-old
American woman of Chinese descent. Which action will the nurse do first?
a.
Place the patient in the lithotomy position.
b.
Drape the patient to enhance patient comfort.
c.
Assess the patient’s feelings about the examination.
d.
Ask the patient if she would like her mother to be present in the room.
ANS: C
Patients who are Chinese American often believe that examination of the external genitalia is
offensive. Before proceeding with the examination, the nurse first determines how the patient feels
about the procedure and explains the procedure to answer any questions and to help the patient feel
comfortable with the assessment. Once the patient is ready to have her external genitalia examined,
the nurse places the patient in the lithotomy position and drapes the patient appropriately. Typically,
nurses ask adolescents if they want a parent present during the examination. The patient in this
question is 25 years old; asking if she would like her mother to be present is inappropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:589
OBJ: Discuss how cultural diversity influences a nurse’s approach to and findings from a health
assessment. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
18. An older-adult patient is being seen for chronic entropion. Which condition will the nurse assess
for in this patient?
a.
Ptosis
b.
Infection
c.
Borborygmi
d.
Exophthalmos
ANS: B
The diagnosis of entropion can lead to lashes of the lids irritating the conjunctiva and cornea.
Irritation can lead to infection. Exophthalmos is a bulging of the eyes and usually indicates
hyperthyroidism. An abnormal drooping of the lid over the pupil is called ptosis. In the older adult,
ptosis results from a loss of elasticity that accompanies aging. Hyperactive sounds are loud,
“growling” sounds called borborygmi, which indicate increased GI motility.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:555
OBJ: Identify ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
19. During a school physical examination, the nurse reviews the patient’s current medical history.
The nurse discovers the patient has allergies. Which assessment finding is consistent with allergies?
a.
Clubbing
b.
Yellow discharge
c.
Pale nasal mucosa
d.
Puffiness of nasal mucosa
ANS: C
Pale nasal mucosa with clear discharge indicates allergy. Clubbing is due to insufficient oxygenation
at the periphery resulting from conditions such as chronic emphysema and congenital heart disease;
it is noted in the nails. A sinus infection results in yellowish or greenish discharge. Habitual use of
intranasal cocaine and opioids causes puffiness and increased vascularity of the nasal mucosa.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:560
OBJ: Identify data to collect from the nursing history before an examination.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
20. Upon assessment, the patient is breathing normally and has normal vesicular lung sounds.
Which expected inspiratory-to-expiratory breath sounds will the nurse hear?
a.
The expiration phase is longer than the inspiration phase.
b.
The inspiratory phase lasts exactly as long as the expiratory phase.
c.
The expiration phase is 2 times longer than the inspiration phase.
d.
The inspiratory phase is 3 times longer than the expiratory phase.
ANS: D
Vesicular breath sounds are normal breath sounds; the inspiratory phase is 3 times longer than the
expiratory phase. Bronchovesicular breath sounds have an inspiratory phase equal to the expiratory
phase. Bronchial breath sounds have an expiration phase longer than the inspiration phase at a 3:2
ratio.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:570
OBJ: Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
21. A teen female patient reports intermittent abdominal pain for 12 hours. No dysuria is present.
Which action will the nurse take when performing an abdominal assessment?
a.
Assess the area that is most tender first.
b.
Ask the patient about the color of her stools.
c.
Recommend that the patient take more laxatives.
d.
Avoid sexual references such as possible pregnancy.
ANS: B
Abdominal pain can be related to bowels. If stools are black or tarry (melena), this may indicate
gastrointestinal alteration. The nurse should caution patients about the dangers of excessive use of
laxatives or enemas. There is not enough information about the abdominal pain to recommend
laxatives. Determine if the patient is pregnant, and note her last menstrual period. Pregnancy causes
changes in abdominal shape and contour. Assess painful areas last to minimize discomfort and
anxiety.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:586 | 594
OBJ: Describe interview techniques used to enhance communication during history taking.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
22. During a genitourinary examination of a 30-year-old male patient, the nurse identifies a small
amount of a white, thick substance on the patient’s uncircumcised glans penis. What is the
nurse’s next step?
a.
Record this as a normal finding.
b.
Avoid embarrassing questions about sexual activity.
c.
Notify the provider about a suspected sexually transmitted infection.
d.
Tell the patient to avoid doing self-examinations until symptoms clear.
ANS: A
A small amount of thick, white smegma sometimes collects under the foreskin in the uncircumcised
male and is considered normal. Penile pain or swelling, genital lesions, and urethral discharge are
signs and symptoms that may indicate sexually transmitted infections (STI). All men 15 years and
older need to perform a male-genital self-examination monthly. The nurse needs to assess a
patient’s sexual history and use of safe sex habits. Sexual history reveals risks for STI and HIV.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:593
OBJ: Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
23. The nurse is preparing for a rectal examination of a nonambulatory male patient. In which
position will the nurse place the patient?
a.
Sims’
b.
Knee-chest
c.
Dorsal recumbent
d.
Forward bending with flexed hips
ANS: A
Nonambulatory patients are best examined in a side-lying Sims’ position. Forward bending would
require the patient to be able to stand upright. Knees to chest would be difficult to maintain in a
nonambulatory male and is embarrassing and uncomfortable. Dorsal recumbent does not provide
adequate access for a rectal examination and is used for abdominal assessment because it
promotes relaxation of abdominal muscles.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:536 | 593
OBJ: List techniques for preparing a patient physically and psychologically before and during an
examination. TOP: Planning MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
24. A teen patient is tearful and reports locating lumps in her breasts. Other history obtained is that
she is currently menstruating. Physical examination reveals soft and movable cysts in both breasts
that are painful to palpation. The nurse also notes that the patient’s nipples are erect, but the areola
is wrinkled. Which action will the nurse take after talking with the health care provider?
a.
Reassure patient that her symptoms are normal.
b.
Discuss the possibility of fibrocystic disease as the probable cause.
c.
Consult a breast surgeon because of the abnormal nipples and areola.
d.
Tell the patient that the symptoms may get worse when her period ends.
ANS: B
A common benign condition of the breast is benign (fibrocystic) breast disease. This patient has
symptoms of fibrocystic disease, which include bilateral lumpy, painful breasts sometimes
accompanied by nipple discharge. Symptoms are more apparent during the menstrual period. When
palpated, the cysts (lumps) are soft, well differentiated, and movable. Deep cysts feel hard. Although
a common condition, benign breast disease is not normal; therefore, the nurse does not tell the
patient that this is a normal finding. During examination of the nipples and areolae, the nipple
sometimes becomes erect with wrinkling of the areola. Therefore, consulting a breast surgeon to
treat her nipples and areolae is not appropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:586
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
25. A nurse is performing a mental status examination and asks an adult patient what the statement
“Don’t cry over spilled milk” means. Which area is the nurse assessing?
a.
Long-term memory
b.
Abstract thinking
c.
Recent memory
d.
Knowledge
ANS: B
For an individual to explain common phrases such as “A stitch in time saves nine” or “Don’t cry over
spilled milk” requires a higher level of intellectual function or abstract thinking. Knowledge-based
assessment is factual. Assess knowledge by asking how much the patient knows about the illness or
the reason for seeking health care. To assess past (long-term) memory, ask the patient to recall the
maiden name of the patient’s mother, a birthday, or a special date in history. It is best to ask openended questions rather than simple yes/no questions. Patients demonstrate immediate recall (recent
memory) by repeating a series of numbers in the order in which they are presented or in reverse
order.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:601
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
26. During a routine physical examination of a 70-year-old patient, a blowing sound is auscultated
over the carotid artery. Which assessment finding will the nurse report to the health care provider?
a.
Bruit
b.
Thrill
c.
Phlebitis
d.
Right-sided heart failure
ANS: A
A bruit is the sound of turbulence of blood passing through a narrowed blood vessel and is
auscultated as a blowing sound. A bruit can reflect cardiovascular disease in the carotid artery of
middle-aged to older adults. Intensity or loudness is related to the rate of blood flow through the
heart or the amount of blood regurgitated. A thrill is a continuous palpable sensation that resembles
the purring of a cat. Jugular venous distention, not bruit, is a possible sign of right-sided heart failure.
Some patients with heart disease have distended jugular veins when sitting. Phlebitis is an
inflammation of a vein that occurs commonly after trauma to the vessel wall, infection,
immobilization, and prolonged insertion of IV catheters. It affects predominantly peripheral veins.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:576
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
27. The nurse considers several new female patients to receive additional teaching on the need for
more frequent Pap test and gynecological examinations. Which assessment findings reveal the
patient at highest risk for cervical cancer and having the greatest need for patient education?
a.
13 years old, nonsmoker, not sexually active
b.
15 years old, social smoker, celibate
c.
22 years old, smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day, has multiple sexual partners
d.
50 years old, stopped smoking 30 years ago, has history of multiple pregnancies
ANS: C
Females considered to be at higher risk include those who smoke, have multiple sex partners, and
have a history of sexually transmitted infections. Of all the assessment findings listed, the 22-yearold smoker with multiple sexual partners has the greatest number of risk factors for cervical cancer.
The other patients are at lower risk: not sexually active, celibate, and do not smoke.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:590
OBJ: Discuss ways to incorporate health promotion and health teaching into an examination.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
28. The paramedics transport an adult involved in a motor vehicle accident to the emergency
department. On physical examination, the patient’s level of consciousness is reported as opening
eyes to pain and responding with inappropriate words and flexion withdrawal to painful stimuli.
Which value will the nurse report for the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score?
a.
5
b.
7
c.
9
d.
11
ANS: C
According to the guidelines of the Glasgow Coma Scale, the patient has a score of 9. Opening eyes
to pain is 2 points; inappropriate word use is 3 points; and flexion withdrawal is 4 points. The total for
this patient is 2 + 3 + 4 = 9.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:601
OBJ: Identify ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
29. While assessing the skin of an 82-year-old patient, a nurse discovers nonpainful, ruby red
papules on the patient’s trunk. What is the nurse’s next action?
a.
Explain that the patient has basal cell carcinoma and should watch for spread.
b.
Document cherry angiomas as a normal older adult skin finding.
c.
Tell the patient that this is a benign squamous cell carcinoma.
d.
Record the presence of petechiae.
ANS: B
The skin is normally free of lesions, except for common freckles or age-related changes such as skin
tags, senile keratosis (thickening of skin), cherry angiomas (ruby red papules), and atrophic warts.
Basal cell carcinoma is most common in sun-exposed areas and frequently occurs in a background
of sun-damaged skin; it almost never spreads to other parts of the body. Squamous cell carcinoma
is more serious than basal cell and develops on the outer layers of sun-exposed skin; these cells
may travel to lymph nodes and throughout the body. Report abnormal lesions to the health care
provider for further examination. Petechiae are nonblanching, pinpoint-size, red or purple spots on
the skin caused by small hemorrhages in the skin layers.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:548
OBJ: Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
30. A nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
An adult with an S4 heart sound
b.
A young adult with an S3 heart sound
c.
An adult with vesicular lung sounds in the lung periphery
d.
A young adult with bronchovesicular breath sounds between the scapula posteriorly
ANS: A
A fourth heart sound (S4) occurs when the atria contract to enhance ventricular filling. An S4 is often
heard in healthy older adults, children, and athletes, but it is not normal in adults. Because S4 also
indicates an abnormal condition, report it to a health care provider. An S3 is considered abnormal in
adults over 31 years of age but can often be heard normally in children and young adults. Vesicular
lungs sounds in the periphery and bronchovesicular lung sounds in between the scapula are normal
findings.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:573
OBJ: Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
31. A nurse is auscultating different areas on an adult patient. Which technique should the nurse use
during an assessment?
a.
Uses the bell to listen for lung sounds
b.
Uses the diaphragm to listen for bruits
c.
Uses the diaphragm to listen for bowel sounds
d.
Uses the bell to listen for high-pitched murmurs
ANS: C
The bell is best for hearing low-pitched sounds such as vascular (bruits) and certain heart sounds
(low-pitched murmurs), and the diaphragm is best for listening to high-pitched sounds such as bowel
and lung sounds and high-pitched murmurs.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:541 | 588
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
32. The nurse is assessing an adult patient’s patellar reflex. Which finding will the nurse record as
normal?
a.
1+
b.
2+
c.
3+
d.
4+
ANS: B
Grade reflexes as follows: 0: No response; 1+: Sluggish or diminished; 2+: Active or expected
response; 3+: More brisk than expected, slightly hyperactive; and 4+: Brisk and hyperactive with
intermittent or transient clonus.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:604
OBJ: Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
33. A patient in the emergency department is reporting left lower abdominal pain. Which proper
order will the nurse follow to perform the comprehensive abdominal examination?
a.
Percussion, palpation, auscultation
b.
Percussion, auscultation, palpation
c.
Inspection, palpation, auscultation
d.
Inspection, auscultation, palpation
ANS: D
The order of an abdominal examination differs slightly from that of other assessments. Begin with
inspection and follow with auscultation. By using auscultation before palpation, the chance of altering
the frequency and character of bowel sounds is lessened.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:539-541 | 587
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
34. The nurse completed assessments on several patients. Which assessment finding will the nurse
record as normal?
a.
Pulse strength 3
b.
1+ pitting edema
c.
Constricting pupils when directly illuminated
d.
Hyperactive bowel sounds in all four quadrants
ANS: C
A normal finding is pupils constricting when directly illuminated with a penlight. A pulse strength of 3
indicates a full or increased pulse; 2 is normal. 1+ pitting edema is abnormal; there should be no
edema for a normal finding. Hyperactive bowel sounds are abnormal and indicate increased GI
motility; normal bowel sounds are active.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:556
OBJ: Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
35. The patient presents to the clinic with dysuria and hematuria. How does the nurse proceed to
assess for kidney inflammation?
a.
Uses deep palpation posteriorly.
b.
Lightly palpates each abdominal quadrant.
c.
Percusses posteriorly the costovertebral angle at the scapular line.
d.
Inspects abdomen for abnormal movement or shadows using indirect lighting.
ANS: C
With the patient sitting or standing erect, use direct or indirect percussion to assess for kidney
inflammation. With the ulnar surface of the partially closed fist, percuss posteriorly the costovertebral
angle at the scapular line. If the kidneys are inflamed, the patient feels tenderness during
percussion. Use a systematic palpation approach for each quadrant of the abdomen to assess for
muscular resistance, distention, abdominal tenderness, and superficial organs or masses. Light
palpation would not detect kidney tenderness because the kidneys sit deep within the abdominal
cavity. Posteriorly, the lower ribs and heavy back muscles protect the kidneys, so they cannot be
palpated. Kidney inflammation will not cause abdominal movement. However, to inspect the
abdomen for abnormal movement or shadows, the nurse should stand on the patient’s right side and
inspect from above the abdomen using direct light over the abdomen.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:588
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
36. The nurse is assessing skin turgor. Which technique will the nurse use?
a.
Press lightly on the forearm.
b.
Press lightly on the fingertips.
c.
Grasp a fold of skin on the sternal area.
d.
Grasp a fold of skin on the back of the hand.
ANS: C
To assess skin turgor, grasp a fold of skin on the back of the forearm or sternal area with the
fingertips and release. Since the skin on the back of the hand is normally loose and thin, turgor is not
reliably assessed at that site. Pressing lightly on the forearm can be used to assess for pitting
edema or pain or sense of touch. Pressing lightly on the fingertips and observing nail color is
assessing capillary refill.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:547-548
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
37. An older-adult patient is taking aminoglycoside for a severe infection. Which assessment is
the priority?
a.
Eyes
b.
Ears
c.
Skin
d.
Reflexes
ANS: B
Older adults are especially at risk for hearing loss caused by ototoxicity (injury to auditory nerve)
resulting from high maintenance doses of antibiotics (e.g., aminoglycosides). While eyes and skin
are important, they are not the priority. Reflexes are expected to be diminished in older adults.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:559
OBJ: Identify ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
38. The patient has had a stroke that has affected the ability to speak. The patient becomes
extremely frustrated when trying to speak. The patient responds correctly to questions and
instructions but cannot form words coherently. Which type of aphasia is the patient experiencing?
a.
Sensory
b.
Receptive
c.
Expressive
d.
Combination
ANS: C
The two types of aphasias are sensory (or receptive) and motor (or expressive). The patient cannot
form words coherently, indicating expressive or motor aphasia is present. The patient responds
correctly to questions and instructions, indicating receptive or sensory aphasia is not present.
Patients sometimes suffer a combination of receptive and expressive aphasia, but this is not the
case here.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:601
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
39. The nurse is assessing the tympanic membranes of an infant. Which action by the nurse
demonstrates proper technique?
a.
Pulls the auricle upward and backward.
b.
Holds handle of the otoscope between the thumb and little finger.
c.
Uses an inverted otoscope grip while pulling the auricle downward and back.
d.
Places the handle of the otoscope between the thumb and index finger while pulling the auricle upward.
ANS: C
Using the inverted otoscope grip while pulling the auricle downward and back is a common approach
with infant/child examinations because it prevents accidental movement of the otoscope deeper into
the ear canal, as could occur with an unexpected pediatric reaction to the ear examination. The
other techniques could result in injury to the infant’s tympanic membrane. Insert the scope while
pulling the auricle upward and backward in the adult and older child. Hold the handle of the otoscope
in the space between the thumb and index finger, supported on the middle finger.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:558
OBJ: Demonstrate the techniques used with each physical assessment skill.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s cranial nerve IX. Which items does the nurse gather before
conducting the assessment? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Vial of sugar
b.
Snellen chart
c.
Tongue blade
d.
Ophthalmoscope
e.
Lemon applicator
ANS: A, C, E
Cranial nerve IX is the glossopharyngeal, which controls taste and ability to swallow. The nurse asks
the patient to identify sour (lemon) or sweet (sugar) tastes on the back of the tongue and uses a
tongue blade to elicit a gag reflex. Ophthalmoscopes are used for vision. A Snellen chart is used to
test cranial nerve II (optic).
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:602
OBJ:Make environmental preparations before an examination.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse is assessing several patients. Which assessment findings will cause the nurse to follow
up? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Orthopnea
b.
Nonpalpable lymph nodes
c.
Pleural friction rub present
d.
Crackles in lower lung lobes
e.
Grade 5 muscle function level
f.
A 160-degree angle between nail plate and nail
ANS: A, C, D
Abnormal findings will cause a nurse to follow up. Orthopnea is abnormal and indicates
cardiovascular or respiratory problems. Pleural friction rub is abnormal and indicated an inflamed
pleura. Crackles are adventitious breath sounds and indicate random, sudden reinflation of groups of
alveoli, indicating disruptive passage of air through small airways. Lymph nodes should be
nonpalpable; palpable lymph nodes are abnormal. Grade 5 muscle function is normal. A 160-degree
angle between nail plate and nail is normal; a larger degree angle is abnormal and indicates
clubbing.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:568 | 571
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
COMPLETION
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a lung assessment on a patient and discovers through the nursing
history the patient smokes. The nurse figures the pack-years for this patient who has smoked two
and a half (2 1/2) packs a day for 20 years. Which value will the nurse record in the patient’s medical
record? Record answer as a whole number. _________ pack-years
ANS:
50
Pack-years = Number of years smoking × Number of packs per day: 20 × 2.5 = 50.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:568
OBJ: Identify data to collect from the nursing history before an examination.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
MATCHING
A nurse is assessing a group of patients. Match the assessment finding the nurse observed to its
condition.
a.
Lower extremity swollen and warm with normal pulse
b.
Neck vein visible when sitting
c.
Spoon nails
d.
Lower extremity pale and cool with decreased pulse
e.
Ringing in ears
f.
Swayback
g.
Black, tarry stools
1. Koilonychia
2. Venous problems
3. Lordosis
4. Melena
5. Arterial problems
6. Jugular vein distention
7. Tinnitus
1.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
2.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
3.ANS:FDIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
4.ANS:GDIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
5.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
6.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
7.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)
REF:552 | 558 | 577 | 580 | 586 | 594 | 595
OBJ: Describe physical measurements made in assessing each body system.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
Chapter 32: Medication Administration
Chapter 32: Medication Administration
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about medications. Which statement from the patient indicates
teaching is effective?
a.
“My parenteral medication must be taken with food.”
b.
“I will rotate the sites in my left leg when I give my insulin.”
c.
“Once I start feeling better, I will stop taking my antibiotic.”
d.
“If I am 30 minutes late taking my medication, I should skip that dose.”
ANS: B
For daily insulin, rotate site within anatomical area. Rotating injections within the same body part
(instrasite rotation) provides greater consistency in absorption of medication. Parenteral medication
absorption is not affected by the timing of meals. Taking a medication 30 minutes late is within the
60-minute window of the time medications should be taken. Medications are usually stopped based
on the provider’s orders except in extenuating circumstances. With some medications, such as
antibiotics, it is crucial that the full course of medication is taken to avoid relapse of infection.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:548 | 672
OBJ: Discuss nursing roles and responsibilities in medication administration.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection to a patient. Which statement made by the patient
is an indication for the nurse to use the Z-track method?
a.
“I am allergic to many medications.”
b.
“I’m really afraid that a big needle will hurt.”
c.
“The last shot like that turned my skin colors.”
d.
“My legs are too obese for the needle to go through.”
ANS: C
The Z-track is indicated when the medication being administered has the potential to irritate sensitive
tissues. It is recommended that, when administering IM injections, the Z-track method be used to
minimize local skin irritation by sealing the medication in muscle tissue. The Z-track method is not
meant to reduce discomfort from the procedure. If a patient is allergic to a medication, it should not
be administered. If a patient has additional subcutaneous tissue to go through, a needle of a
different size may be selected.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:650-651
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. A 2-year-old child is ordered to have eardrops daily. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Pull the auricle down and back to straighten the ear canal.
b.
Pull the auricle upward and outward to straighten the ear canal.
c.
Sit the child up for 2 to 3 minutes after instilling drops in ear canal.
d.
Sit the child up to insert the cotton ball into the innermost ear canal.
ANS: A
Children up to 3 years of age should have the auricle pulled down and back, children 3 years of age
to adults should have the auricle pulled upward and outward. Solution should be instilled 1 cm (1/2
in) above the opening of the ear canal. The patient should remain in the side-lying position 2 to 3
minutes. If a cotton ball is needed, place it into the outermost part of the ear canal.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:640
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient has an order to receive 0.3 mL of U-500 insulin. Which syringe will the nurse obtain to
administer the medication?
a.
3-mL syringe
b.
U-100 syringe
c.
Needleless syringe
d.
Tuberculin syringe
ANS: D
Because there is no syringe currently designed to prepare U-500 insulin, many medication errors
result with this kind of insulin. To prevent errors, ensure that the order for U-500 specifies units and
volume (e.g., 150 units, 0.3 mL of U-500 insulin), and use tuberculin syringes to draw up the doses.
A 3 mL and U-100 can result in inaccurate dosing. A needleless syringe will not be acceptable in this
situation.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:646
OBJ: Implement nursing actions to prevent medication errors. TOP: Planning
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. A patient has an order to receive 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide. The nurse has on hand a 25 mg
tablet of hydrochlorothiazide. How many tablet(s) will the nurse administer?
a.
1/2 tablet
b.
1 tablet
c.
1 1/2 tablets
d.
2 tablets
ANS: A
1/2 tablet will be given. The nurse is careful to perform nursing calculations to ensure proper
medication administration. The dose ordered is 12.5. The dose on hand is 25. 12.5/25 = 1/2 tablet.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:618-620
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The patient is to receive phenytoin (Dilantin) at 0900. When will be the ideal time for the nurse to
schedule a trough level?
a.
0800
b.
0830
c.
0900
d.
0930
ANS: B
Trough levels are generally drawn 30 minutes before the drug is administered. If the medication is
administered at 0900, the trough should be drawn at 0830.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:614-615
OBJ: Discuss factors to include in assessing a patient’s needs for and response to medication
therapy. TOP: Planning MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7. A patient is receiving vancomycin. Which function is the priority for the nurses to assess?
a.
Vision
b.
Hearing
c.
Heart tones
d.
Bowel sounds
ANS: B
A side effect of vancomycin is ototoxicity—hearing. It does not affect vision, heart tones, or bowel
sounds.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:620
OBJ:Differentiate among different types of medication actions.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
8. A health care provider orders lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg orally 2 times a day. The dose available is
0.5 mg per tablet. How many tablet(s) will the nurse administer for each dose?
a.
1
b.
2
c.
3
d.
4
ANS: B
The nurse will give 2 tablets. It will take 2 tablets (0.5) to equal 1 mg OR ordered dose (1) over dose
on hand (0.5). 1/0.5 = 2 tablets.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:618-620
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
9. The nurse is preparing to administer an injection into the deltoid muscle of an adult patient. Which
needle size and length will the nurse choose?
a.
18 gauge × 1 1/2 inch
b.
23 gauge × 1/2 inch
c.
25 gauge × 1 inch
d.
27 gauge × 5/8 inch
ANS: C
For an intramuscular injection into an adult deltoid muscle, a 25-gauge, 1-inch needle is
recommended. An 18-gauge needle is too big. While a 23-gauge needle can be used, a 1/2-inch
needle is too small. A 27-gauge, 5/8 -inch needle is used for intradermal.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:670
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
10. When the nurse administers an IM corticosteroid injection, the nurse aspirates. What is the
rationale for the nurse aspirating?
a.
Prevent the patient from choking.
b.
Increase the force of the injection.
c.
Ensure proper placement of the needle.
d.
Reduce the discomfort of the injection.
ANS: C
The purpose of aspiration is to ensure that the needle is in the muscle and not in the vascular
system. Blood return upon aspiration indicates improper placement, and the injection should not be
given. While a patient can aspirate fluid and food into the lungs, this is not related to the reason for
why a nurse pulls back the syringe plunger after inserting the needle (aspirates) before injecting the
medication. Reducing discomfort and prolonging absorption time are not reasons for aspirating
medications.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:647
OBJ: Implement nursing actions to prevent medication errors. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
11. The nurse is giving an IM injection. Upon aspiration, the nurse notices blood return in the
syringe. What should the nurse do?
a.
Administer the injection at a slower rate.
b.
Withdraw the needle and prepare the injection again.
c.
Pull the needle back slightly and inject the medication.
d.
Give the injection and hold pressure over the site for 3 minutes.
ANS: B
Blood return upon aspiration indicates improper placement, and the injection should not be given.
Instead withdraw the needle, dispose of the syringe and needle properly, and prepare the
medication again. Administering the medication into a blood vessel could have dangerous adverse
effects, and the medication will be absorbed faster than intended owing to increased blood flow.
Holding pressure is not an appropriate intervention. Pulling back the needle slightly does not
guarantee proper placement of the needle and medication administration.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:673
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
12. The nurse is planning to administer a tuberculin test with a 27-gauge, -inch needle. At which
angle will the nurse insert the needle?
a.
15 degree
b.
30 degree
c.
45 degree
d.
90 degree
ANS: A
A 27-gauge, -inch needle is used for intradermal injections such as a tuberculin test, which should
be inserted at a 5- to 15-degree angle, just under the dermis of the skin. Placing the needle at 30
degrees, 45 degrees, or 90 degrees will place the medication too deep.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:648 | 651 | 673
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
13. The nurse closely monitors an older adult for signs of medication toxicity. Which physiological
change is the reason for the nurse’s action?
a.
Reduced glomerular filtration
b.
Reduced esophageal stricture
c.
Increased gastric motility
d.
Increased liver mass
ANS: A
The reduced glomerular filtration rate delays excretion, increasing chance for toxicity. In older adults,
gastric motility and liver mass decrease. Esophageal stricture is not a physiological change
associated with normal aging.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:634
OBJ:Discuss developmental factors that influence pharmacokinetics.
TOP: Planning MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
14. A registered nurse interprets that a scribbled medication order reads 25 mg. The nurse
administers 25 mg of the medication to a patient and then discovers that the dose was incorrectly
interpreted and should have been 15 mg. Who is ultimately responsible for the error?
a.
Health care provider
b.
Pharmacist
c.
Hospital
d.
Nurse
ANS: D
Ultimately, the person administering the medication is responsible for ensuring that it is correct. The
nurse administered the medication, so in this case it is the nurse. Accept full accountability and
responsibility for all actions surrounding the administration of medications. Do not assume that a
medication that is ordered for a patient is the correct medication or the correct dose. This is the
importance of verifying the six rights of medication administration. The ultimate responsibility and
accountability are with the nurse, not the health care provider, pharmacist, or hospital.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:626 | 628 | 632
OBJ: Compare and contrast the roles of the health care provider, pharmacist, and nurse in
medication administration. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
15. A patient is to receive a proton pump inhibitor through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. Which is
the most important nursing action to ensure effective absorption?
a.
Thoroughly shake the medication before administering.
b.
Position patient in the supine position for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
c.
Hold feeding for at least 30 minutes after medication administration.
d.
Flush tube with 10 to 15 mL of water, after all medications are administered.
ANS: C
If a medication needs to be given on an empty stomach or is not compatible with the feeding (e.g.,
phenytoin, carbamazepine [Tegretol], warfarin [Coumadin], fluoroquinolones, proton pump
inhibitors), hold the feeding for at least 30 minutes before or 30 minutes after medication
administration. Thoroughly shaking the medication mixes the medication before administration but
does not affect absorption. Flushing the tube after all medications should be 30 to 60 mL of water;
15 to 30 mL of water is used for flushing between medications. Patients with NG tubes should never
be positioned supine but instead should be positioned at least to a 30-degree angle to prevent
aspiration, provided no contraindication condition is known.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:635
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
16. A health care provider prescribes aspirin 650 mg every 4 hours PO when febrile. For which
patient will this order be appropriate?
a.
7 year old with a bleeding disorder
b.
21 year old with a sprained ankle
c.
35 year old with a severe headache from hypertension
d.
62 year old with a high fever from an infection
ANS: D
Aspirin is an analgesic, an antipyretic, and an anti-inflammatory medication. The provider wrote the
medication to be given for a fever (febrile). Fevers are common in infections. If a child is bleeding,
aspirin would be contraindicated; aspirin increases the likelihood of bleeding. Although it can be
used for inflammatory problems (sprained ankle) and pain/analgesia (severe headache), this is not
how the order was written.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:610
OBJ:Discuss factors to include in assessing a patient’s needs for and response to medication
therapy.TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
17. A patient is in need of immediate pain relief for a severe headache. Which medication will the
nurse administer to be absorbed the quickest?
a.
Acetaminophen 650 mg PO
b.
Hydromorphone 4 mg IV
c.
Ketorolac 8 mg IM
d.
Morphine 6 mg SQ
ANS: B
IV is the fastest route for absorption owing to the increase in blood flow. The richer the blood supply
to the site of administration, the faster a medication is absorbed. Medications administered
intravenously enter the bloodstream and act immediately, whereas those given in other routes take
time to enter the bloodstream and have an effect. Oral, subcutaneous (SQ), and intramuscular (IM)
are others ways to deliver medication but with less blood flow, slowing absorption.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:611-612
OBJ: Discuss factors that influence medication actions. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
18. While preparing medications, the nurse knows one of the drug is an acidic medication. In which
area does the nurse anticipate the drug will be absorbed?
a.
Stomach
b.
Mouth
c.
Small intestine
d.
Large intestine
ANS: A
Acidic medications pass through the gastric mucosa rapidly. Medications that are basic are not
absorbed before reaching the small intestine.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:612
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
19. The nurse administers a central nervous system stimulant to a patient. Which assessment
finding indicates to the nurse that an idiosyncratic event is occurring?
a.
Falls asleep during daily activities
b.
Presents with a pruritic rash
c.
Develops restlessness
d.
Experiences alertness
ANS: A
An idiosyncratic event is a reaction opposite to what the effects of the medication normally are, or
the patient overreacts or underreacts to the medication. Falls asleep is an opposite effect of what a
central nervous system stimulant should do. A stimulant should make a patient restless and alert. A
pruritic (itch) rash could indicate an allergic reaction.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:613
OBJ:Differentiate among different types of medication actions.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
20. An order is written for phenytoin 500 mg IM q3-4h prn for pain. The nurse recognizes that
treatment of pain is not a standard therapeutic indication for this drug. The nurse believes that the
health care provider meant to write hydromorphone. What should the nurse do?
a.
Call the health care provider to clarify the order.
b.
Give the patient hydromorphone, as it was meant to be written.
c.
Administer the medication and monitor the patient frequently.
d.
Refuse to give the medication and notify the nurse supervisor.
ANS: A
If there is any question about a medication order because it is incomplete, illegible, vague, or not
understood, contact the health care provider before administering the medication. The nurse cannot
change the order without the prescriber’s consent; this is out of the nurse’s scope of practice.
Ultimately, the nurse can be held responsible for administering an incorrect medication. If the
prescriber is unwilling to change the order and does not justify the order in a reasonable and
evidence-based manner, the nurse may refuse to give the medication and notify the supervisor.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:628
OBJ: Compare and contrast the roles of the health care provider, pharmacist, and nurse in
medication administration. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
21. A patient needs assistance in eliminating an anesthetic gaseous medication (nitrous oxide).
Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Encourage the patient to cough and deep-breathe.
b.
Suction the patient’s respiratory secretions.
c.
Suggest voiding every 2 hours.
d.
Increase fluid intake.
ANS: A
Gaseous and volatile medications are excreted through gas exchange (lungs). Deep breathing and
coughing will assist in clearing the medication more quickly. It is a gaseous medication and cannot
be suctioned out of the lungs. It is not excreted through the kidneys so fluids and voiding will not
help.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:612
OBJ:Describe the physiological mechanisms of medication action.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
22. A nurse has withdrawn a narcotic from the medication dispenser and must waste a portion of the
medication. What should the nurse do?
a.
Have another nurse witness the wasted medication.
b.
Return the wasted medication to the medication dispenser.
c.
Place the wasted portion of the medication in the sharps container.
d.
Exit the medication room to call the health care provider to request an order that matches the dosages.
ANS: A
The nurse should follow Nurse Practice Acts and safe narcotic administration guidelines by having a
nurse witness the “wasted” medication. The nurse cannot return the wasted medication to the
medication dispenser. Wasted portions of medications are not placed in sharps containers. The
nurse should not leave the narcotic unattended and call the health care provider to obtain matching
dosages; the nurse is expected to obtain the correct dose.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:610 | 627
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
23. A nurse teaches the patient about the prescribed buccal medication. Which statement by the
patient indicates teaching by the nurse is successful?
a.
“I should let the medication dissolve completely.”
b.
“I will place the medication in the same location.”
c.
“I can only drink water, not juice, with this medication.”
d.
“I better chew my medication first for faster distribution.”
ANS: A
Buccal medications should be placed in the side of the cheek and allowed to dissolve completely.
Buccal medications act with the patient’s saliva and mucosa. The patient should not chew or swallow
the medication or take any liquids with it. The patient should rotate sides of the cheek to avoid
irritating the mucosal lining.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:615 | 658
OBJ: Discuss methods used to educate patients about prescribed medications.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
24. What is the nurse’s priority action to protect a patient from medication error?
a.
Reading medication labels at least 3 times before administering
b.
Administering as many of the medications as possible at one time
c.
Asking anxious family members to leave the room before giving a medication
d.
Checking the patient’s room number against the medication administration record
ANS: A
One step to take to prevent medication errors is to read labels at least 3 times before administering
the medication. The nurse should address the family’s concerns about medications before
administering them. Do not discount their anxieties. The medication administration record should be
checked against the patient’s hospital identification band; a room number is not an acceptable
identifier. Medications should be given when scheduled, and medications with special assessment
indications should be separated. Giving medications at one time can cause the patient to aspirate.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:625 | 627
OBJ: Implement nursing actions to prevent medication errors. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
25. The nurse prepares a pain injection for a patient but had to check on another patient and asks a
new nurse to give the medication. Which action by the new nurse is best?
a.
Do not give the medication.
b.
Administer the medication just this once.
c.
Give the medication for any pain score greater than 8.
d.
Avoid the issue and pretend to not hear the request.
ANS: A
Because the nurse who administers the medication is responsible for any errors related to it, nurses
administer only the medications they prepare. You cannot delegate preparation of medication to
another person and then administer the medication to the patient. The right medication cannot be
verified by the new nurse; do not violate the six rights. Do not administer the medication even one
time. Do not administer the medication regardless of the pain rating. Avoiding the issue is not
appropriate or safe.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:627
OBJ: Identify the six rights of medication administration and apply them in clinical settings.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
26. A patient is at risk for aspiration. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
a.
Give the patient a straw to control the flow of liquids.
b.
Have the patient self-administer the medication.
c.
Thin out liquids so they are easier to swallow.
d.
Turn the head toward the stronger side.
ANS: B
Aspiration occurs when food, fluid, or medication intended for GI administration inadvertently enters
the respiratory tract. To minimize aspiration risk, allow the patient, if capable, to self-administer
medication. Patients should also hold their own cup to control how quickly they take in fluid. Some
patients at risk for aspiration may require thickened liquids; thinning liquids does not decrease
aspiration risk. Patients at risk for aspiration should not be given straws because use of a straw
decreases the control the patient has over volume intake. Turning the head toward the weaker side
helps the medication move down the stronger side of the esophagus.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:635
OBJ: Discuss factors to include in assessing a patient’s needs for and response to medication
therapy. TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
27. A patient refuses medication. Which is the nurse’s first action?
a.
Educate the patient about the importance of the medication.
b.
Discreetly hide the medication in the patient’s favorite gelatin.
c.
Agree with the patient’s decision and document it in the chart.
d.
Explore with the patient reasons for not wanting to take the medication.
ANS: D
The first response is to explore reasons the patient does not want the medication. After the
assessment, the nurse can decide what to do next. Educating is important, but it is not the first
action. Ultimately, the patient does have the right to refuse the medication; however, the nurse
should first try to find out reasons for the refusal and provide education if needed based upon the
assessment findings. Hiding medication and deceiving a patient into taking a medication is unethical
and violates right to autonomy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:659
OBJ: Discuss methods used to educate patients about prescribed medications.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
28. A patient who is being discharged today is going home with an inhaler. The patient is to
administer 2 puffs of the inhaler twice daily. The inhaler contains 200 puffs. When should the nurse
appropriately advise the patient to refill the medication?
a.
6 weeks from the start of using the inhaler
b.
As soon as the patient leaves the hospital
c.
When the inhaler is half empty.
d.
50 days after discharge
ANS: A
Six weeks will be about the time the inhaler will need to be refilled. The inhaler should last the
patient 50 days (2 puffs × 2/twice daily = 4; 200/4 = 50); the nurse should advise the patient to refill
the prescription when there are 7 to 10 days of medication remaining. Refilling it as soon as the
patient leaves the hospital or when the inhaler is half empty is too early. If the patient waits 50 days,
the patient will run out of medication before it can be refilled.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:643
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
29. The supervising nurse is watching nurses prepare medications. Which action by one of the
nurses will the supervising nurse stop immediately?
a.
Rolls insulin vial between hands
b.
Administers a dose of correction insulin
c.
Draws up glargine (Lantus) in a syringe by itself
d.
Prepares NPH insulin to be given intravenously (IV)
ANS: D
The only insulin that can be given IV is regular. NPH cannot be given IV and must be stopped. All
the rest demonstrate correct practice. Insulin is supposed to be rolled, not shaken. Glargine is
supposed to be given by itself; it cannot be mixed with another medication. Correction insulin, also
known as sliding-scale insulin, provides a dose of insulin based on the patient’s blood glucose level.
The term correction insulin is preferred because it indicates that small doses of rapid- or short-acting
insulins are needed to correct a patient’s elevated blood sugar.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:646
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
30. Which patient does the nurse most closely monitor for an unintended synergistic effect?
a.
The 4 year old who has mistakenly taken a half bottle of vitamins
b.
The 35 year old who has ingested meth mixed with several household chemicals
c.
The 50 year old who is prescribed a second blood pressure medication
d.
The 72 year old who is seeing four different specialists
ANS: D
The 72 year old seeing four different providers is likely to experience polypharmacy. Polypharmacy
places the patient at risk for unintended mixing of medications that potentiate each other. When two
medications have a synergistic effect, their combined effect is greater than the effect of the
medications when given separately. The child taking too much of a medication by mistake could
experience overdose or toxicity. The 50 year old is prescribed two different blood pressure
medications for their synergistic effect, but this is a desired, intended event. A patient taking meth
and mixing chemicals can be toxic.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:613 | 633
OBJ:Differentiate among different types of medication actions.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
31. Which patient using an inhaler would benefit most from using a spacer?
a.
A 15 year old with a repaired cleft palate who is alert
b.
A 25 year old with limited coordination of the extremities
c.
A 50 year old with hearing impairment who uses a hearing aid
d.
A 72 year old with left-sided hemiparesis using a dry powder inhaler
ANS: B
A spacer is indicated for a patient who has difficulty coordinating the steps, like patients with limited
mobility/coordination. An alert adolescent with a repaired cleft palate would not need a spacer.
Hearing impairment may make teaching the patient to use the inhaler difficult, but it does not indicate
the need for a spacer. Although a patient with left-sided hemiparesis could have coordination
problems, a patient using a dry powder inhaler does not require the use of spacers.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:643
OBJ: Describe factors to consider when choosing routes of medication administration.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
32. The prescriber wrote for a 40-kg child to receive 25 mg of medication 4 times a day. The
therapeutic range is 5 to 10 mg/kg/day. What is the nurse’s priority?
a.
Change the dose to one that is within range.
b.
Administer the medication because it is within the therapeutic range.
c.
Notify the health care provider that the prescribed dose is in the toxic range.
d.
Notify the health care provider that the prescribed dose is below the therapeutic range.
ANS: D
The dosage range is 200 to 400 mg a day (5 × 40 = 200 and 10 × 40 = 400). The prescribed dose is
100 mg/day (4 × 25 = 100), which is below therapeutic range. The nurse should notify the health
care provider first and ask for clarification on the order. The dose is not above the therapeutic range
and is not at a toxic level. The nurse should never alter an order without the prescriber’s approval
and consent.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:618-621
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
33. The supervising nurse is observing several different nurses. Which action will cause the
supervising nurse to intervene?
a.
A nurse administers a vaccine without aspirating.
b.
A nurse gives an IV medication through a 22-gauge IV needle without blood return.
c.
A nurse draws up the NPH insulin first when mixing a short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin.
d.
A nurse calls the health care provider for a patient with nasogastric suction and orders for oral meds.
ANS: C
The supervising nurse must intervene with the nurse who is drawing up the NPH insulin first; if
regular and intermediate-acting (NPH) insulin is ordered, prepare the regular insulin first to prevent
the regular insulin from becoming contaminated with the intermediate-acting insulin. All the other
actions are appropriate and do not need follow-up. The CDC no longer recommends aspiration when
administering immunizations to reduce discomfort. In some cases, especially with a smaller gauge
(22) IV needle, blood return is not aspirated, even if the IV is patent. If the IV site shows no signs of
infiltration and IV fluid is infusing without difficulty, proceed with IV push slowly. Oral meds are
contraindicated in patients with nasogastric suction.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:646-647
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
34. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving pain medication through a saline lock. After
obtaining a good blood return when the nurse is flushing the patient’s peripheral IV, the patient
reports pain. Upon assessment, the nurse notices a red streak that is warm and tender to the touch.
What is the nurse’s initial action?
a.
Do not administer the pain medication.
b.
Administer the pain medication slowly.
c.
Apply a warm compress to the site.
d.
Apply a cool compress to the site.
ANS: A
The patient has phlebitis; the initial nursing action is do not administer the medication. The
medication should not be given slowly. A cool or warm compress may be used later depending upon
protocol, but it is not the first action.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:675
OBJ: Discuss factors to include in assessing a patient’s needs for and response to medication
therapy. TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
35. The nurse is preparing to administer medications to two patients with the same last name. After
the administration, the nurse realizes that did not check the identification of the patient before
administering medication. Which action should the nurse complete first?
a.
Return to the room to check and assess the patient.
b.
Administer the antidote to the patient immediately.
c.
Alert the charge nurse that a medication error has occurred.
d.
Complete proper documentation of the medication error in the patient’s chart.
ANS: A
When an error occurs, the patient’s safety and well-being are the top priorities. You first assess and
examine the patient’s condition and notify the health care provider of the incident as soon as
possible. The nurse’s first priority is to establish the safety of the patient by assessing the patient.
Second, notify the charge nurse and the health care provider. Administer antidote if required. Finally,
the nurse needs to complete proper documentation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:624
OBJ: Implement nursing actions to prevent medication errors. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
36. The nurse is caring for two patients with the same last name. In this situation which right of
medication administration is the priority to reduce the chance of an error?
a.
Right medication
b.
Right patient
c.
Right dose
d.
Right route
ANS: B
The nurse should ask the patient to verify identity and should check the patient’s ID bracelet against
the medication record to ensure right patient. Acceptable patient identifiers include the patient’s
name, an identification number assigned by a health care facility, or a telephone number. Do not use
the patient’s room number as an identifier. To identify a patient correctly in an acute care setting,
compare the patient identifiers on the MAR with the patient’s identification bracelet while at the
patient’s bedside. Right medication, right dose, and right route are equally as important, but in this
situation, right patient is the priority (two patients with the same last name).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:627
OBJ: Identify the six rights of medication administration and apply them in clinical settings.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
37. A patient prefers not to take the daily allergy pill this morning because it causes drowsiness
throughout the day. Which response by the nurse is best?
“The physician ordered it; therefore, you must take your medication every morning at the same time whether you’re
a. drowsy or not.”
“Let’s see if we can change the time you take your pill to 9 PM, so the drowsiness occurs when you would normally be
b. sleeping.”
c. “You can skip this medication on days when you need to be awake and alert.”
d. “Try to get as much done as you can before you take your pill, so you can sleep in the afternoon.”
ANS: B
The nurse should use knowledge about the medication to educate the patient about potential
response to medications. Then the medication schedule can be altered based on that knowledge. It
is the patient’s right to refuse medication; however, the nurse should educate the patient on the
importance and effects of the medication. Asking a patient to fit a schedule around a medication is
unreasonable and will decrease compliance. The nurse should be supportive and should offer
solutions to manage medication effects.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:611 | 614
OBJ: Discuss factors to include in assessing a patient’s needs for and response to medication
therapy. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
38. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from a vial. In which order will the nurse perform
the steps, starting with the first step?
1. Invert the vial.
2. Fill the syringe with medication.
3. Inject air into the airspace of the vial.
4. Clean with alcohol swab and allow to dry.
5. Pull back on the plunger the amount to be drawn up.
6. Tap the side of the syringe barrel to remove air bubbles.
a.
4, 1, 5, 3, 6, 2
b.
1, 4, 5, 3, 2, 6
c.
4, 5, 3, 1, 2, 6
d.
1, 4, 5, 3, 6, 2
ANS: C
When preparing medication from a vial, the steps are as follows: Firmly and briskly wipe the surface
of the rubber seal with an alcohol swab and allow to dry; pull back on the plunger to draw an amount
of air into the syringe equal to the volume of medication to be aspirated from the vial; inject air into
the airspace of the vial; invert the vial while keeping firm hold on the syringe and plunger; fill the
syringe with medication; and tap the side of the syringe barrel carefully to dislodge any air bubbles.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:668-669
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
39. A nurse is attempting to administer an oral medication to a child, but the child refuses to take the
medication. A parent is in the room. Which statement by the nurse to the parent is best?
a.
“Please hold your child’s arms down, so I can give the full dose.”
b.
“I will prepare the medication for you and observe if you would like to try to administer the medication.”
c.
“Let’s turn the lights off and give your child a moment to fall asleep before administering the medication.”
d.
“Since your child loves applesauce, let’s add the medication to it, so your child doesn’t resist.”
ANS: B
Children often have difficulties taking medication, but it can be less traumatic for the child if the
parent administers the medication and the nurse supervises. Another nurse should help restrain a
child if needed; the parent acts as a comforter, not a restrainer. Holding down the child is not the
best option because it may further upset the child. Never administer an oral medication to a sleeping
child. Don’t mix medications into the child’s favorite foods, because the child might start to refuse the
food.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:633
OBJ:Discuss developmental factors that influence pharmacokinetics.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
40. An older-adult patient needs an IM injection of antibiotic. Which site is best for the nurse to use?
a.
Deltoid
b.
Dorsal gluteal
c.
Ventrogluteal
d.
Vastus lateralis
ANS: C
The ventrogluteal site is the preferred and safest site for all adults, children, and infants. While the
vastus lateralis is a large muscle that could be used it is not the preferred and safest. The dorsal
gluteal site is a location for a subcutaneous injection, and this patient requires an IM injection. The
deltoid is easily accessible, but this muscle is not well developed and is not the preferred site.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:649 | 672
OBJ: Discuss factors that influence medication actions. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
41. A nurse is preparing an intravenous IV piggyback infusion. In which order will the nurse perform
the steps, starting with the first one?
1. Compare the label of the medication with the medication administration record at the patient’s
bedside.
2. Connect the tubing of the piggyback infusion to the appropriate connector on the upper Y-port.
3. Hang the piggyback medication bag above the level of the primary fluid bag.
4. Clean the main IV line port with an antiseptic swab.
5. Connect the infusion tubing to the medication bag.
6. Regulate flow.
a.
5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6
b.
5, 2, 1, 3, 4, 6
c.
1, 5, 4, 3, 2, 6
d.
1, 5, 3, 4, 2, 6
ANS: D
When preparing and administering IV piggybacks, use the following steps: Compare the label of
medication with the medication administration record at the patient’s bedside; connect the infusion
tubing to the medication bag; hang the piggyback medication bag above the level of the primary fluid
bag; clean the main IV line port with an antiseptic swab; connect the tubing of the piggyback infusion
to the appropriate connector on the upper Y-port; and regulate flow.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:680-681
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
42. A nurse is administering oral medications to patients. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Remove the medication from the wrapper, and place it in a cup labeled with the patient’s information.
b.
Place all of the patient’s medications in the same cup, except medications with assessments.
c.
Crush enteric-coated medication, and place it in a medication cup with water.
d.
Measure liquid medication by bringing liquid medication cup to eye level.
ANS: B
Placing medications that require preadministration assessment in a separate cup serves as a
reminder to check before the medication is given, making it easier for the nurse to withhold
medication if necessary. Medications should not be removed from their package until they are in the
patient’s room because this makes identification of the pill easier and reduces contamination. When
measuring a liquid, the nurse should use the meniscus level to measure; make sure it is at eye level
on a hard surface like a countertop. Enteric coated medications should not be crushed.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:656
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
43. A nurse is performing the three accuracy checks before administering an oral liquid medication
to a patient. When will the nurse perform the second accuracy check?
a.
At the patient’s bedside
b.
Before going to the patient’s room
c.
When checking the medication order
d.
When selecting medication from the unit-dose drawer
ANS: B
Before going to the patient’s room, compare the patient’s name and name of medication on the label
of prepared drugs with MAR for the second accuracy check. Selecting the correct medication from
the stock supply, unit-dose drawer, or automated dispensing system (ADS) is the first check. The
third accuracy check is comparing names of medications on labels with MAR at the patient’s
bedside. Checking the orders is not one of the three accuracy checks but should be done if there is
any confusion about an order.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:657
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
44. A nurse is preparing to administer an antibiotic medication at 1000 to a patient but gets busy in
another room. When should the nurse give the antibiotic medication?
a.
By 1030
b.
By 1100
c.
By 1130
d.
By 1200
ANS: A
Give time-critical scheduled medications (e.g., antibiotics, anticoagulants, insulin, anticonvulsants,
and immunosuppressive agents) at the exact time ordered (within 30 minutes before or after
scheduled dose). Give non–time critical scheduled medications within a range of either 1 or 2 hours
of scheduled dose. 1100, 1130, and 1200 are too late.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:614 | 628 | 658
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
45. The nurse is administering medications to several patients. Which action should the nurse take?
a.
Advise a patient after a corticosteroid inhaler treatment to rinse mouth with water.
b.
Administer an intravenous medication through tubing that is infusing blood.
c.
Pinch up the deltoid muscle of an adult patient receiving a vaccination.
d.
Aspirate before administering a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen.
ANS: A
If the patient uses a corticosteroid, have him or her rinse the mouth out with water or salt water or
brush teeth after inhalation to reduce risk of fungal infection. Piercing a blood vessel during a
subcutaneous injection is very rare. Therefore, aspiration is not necessary when administering
subcutaneous injections. When giving immunizations to adults: to avoid injection into subcutaneous
tissue, spread the skin of the selected vaccine administration site taut between the thumb and
forefinger, isolating the muscle. Never administer IV medications through tubing that is infusing
blood, blood products, or parenteral nutrition solutions.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:665
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is following safety principles to reduce the risk of needlestick injury. Which actions will the
nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Recap the needle after giving an injection.
b.
Remove needle and dispose in sharps box.
c.
Never force needles into the sharps disposal.
d.
Use clearly marked sharps disposal containers.
e.
Use needleless devices whenever possible.
ANS: C, D, E
Needles should not be forced into the box. Clearly mark receptacles to warn of danger. Using
needleless systems when possible will further reduce the risk of needlestick injury. To prevent the
risk of needlesticks, the nurse should never recap needles. The syringe and sheath are disposed of
together in a receptacle.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:651-652
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Safety and Infection Control
2. Which methods will the nurse use to administer an intravenous (IV) medication that is
incompatible with the patient’s IV fluid? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Start another IV site.
b.
Administer slowly with the IV fluid.
c.
Do not give the medication and chart.
d.
Flush with 10 mL of sterile water before and after administration.
e.
Flush with 10 mL of normal saline before and after administration.
ANS: A, D, E
When IV medication is incompatible with IV fluids, stop the IV fluids, clamp the IV line above the
injection site, flush with 10 mL of normal saline or sterile water, give the IV bolus over the
appropriate amount of time, flush with another 10 mL of normal saline or sterile water at the same
rate as the medication was administered, and restart the IV fluids at the prescribed rate. Do not
administer the drug slowly with the IV; this is contraindicated when incompatibility exist. Not giving
the medication and charting is inappropriate; this is not a prudent or safe action by the nurse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:677
OBJ: Correctly and safely prepare and administer medications. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
COMPLETION
1. A patient is taking 1 tablet of hydrocodone bitartrate 5 mg and acetaminophen 500 mg (Vicodin)
every 4 hours. The patient is also taking 2 tablets of acetaminophen (Tylenol) 325 mg every 12
hours. How many grams of acetaminophen is the patient taking daily? Record your answer using
one decimal place. ______ g
ANS:
3.3
The nurse should calculate the dosage taken via the first medication and add it to the daily intake of
the second medication. Then, convert milligrams to grams.
500 mg × 6 doses a day = 3000 mg/day + (2 tablets × 325 mg) × 2 doses a day = 1300 mg/day =
3300 mg/day total of acetaminophen; 3300 mg converted to grams = 3.3 grams.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:618-620
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. The nurse is administering 250 mg of a medication elixir to the patient. The medication comes in a
dose of 1000 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer? Record your answer using
two decimal places. ____ mL
ANS:
1.25
The nurse needs to first determine how many milligrams are in each milliliter of the elixir. Then the
nurse calculates how many milliliters would contain 250 mg.
1000 mg/5 mL = 200 mg/1 mL
250 mg/(X mL) = 200 mg/mL = 1.25 mL. OR Dose ordered over dose on hand (250/1000) ×volume
or amount on hand (5). 250/1000 = 0.25 × 5 = 1.25 mL.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:618-620
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. The patient is to receive amoxicillin 500 mg q8h; the medication is dispensed at 250 mg/5 mL.
How many milliliters will the nurse administer for one dose? Record your answer using a whole
number. ___ mL
ANS:
10
The drug is dispensed at 250 mg/5 mL. The nurse is to give 500 mg, which is 10 mL. OR Dose
ordered over dose on hand (500/250) × volume or amount on hand (5). 500/250 × 5 = 10 mL.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:618-620
OBJ: Calculate prescribed medication doses correctly. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Chapter 33: Complementary and Alternative
Therapies
Chapter 33: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient describes practicing a complementary and alternative therapy involving breathwork and
yoga. The nurse also recommends using energy field therapies. Which techniques did the nurse
suggest?
a.
Prayer and tai chi
b.
The “zone” and acupressure
c.
Massage therapy and ayurveda
d.
Reiki therapy and therapeutic touch
ANS: D
Both yoga and breathwork are mind-body therapies, whereas both reiki and therapeutic touch
therapies are energy field therapies. Tai chi is mind-body intervention. Acupressure and massage
are body-based methods. Ayurvedic is a type of whole medical system.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:689 | 694
OBJ: Describe the methods of and the psychophysiological responses to therapeutic touch.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A teen with an anxiety disorder is referred for biofeedback because the parents do not want their
child to take anxiolytics. Which statement from the teen indicates successful learning?
a.
“Biofeedback will help me with my thoughts and physiological responses to stress.”
b.
“Biofeedback will direct my energies in an intentional way when stressed.”
c.
“Biofeedback will allow me to manipulate my stressed out joints.”
d.
“Biofeedback will let me assess and redirect my energy fields.”
ANS: A
By using electromechanical instruments, a person can receive information or feedback on his or her
stress level. Having this knowledge allows the patient to develop awareness and voluntary control
over his or her physiological symptoms. Biofeedback does not address energy fields; healing touch,
reiki, and therapeutic touch are energy fields. Directing energies is therapeutic touch. Manipulation
of body alignment and joints is done by a chiropractor.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:690 | 693
OBJ: Describe the purpose and principles of biofeedback. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. An older-adult patient is newly admitted to a skilled nursing facility with the diagnoses of
Alzheimer’s dementia, lipidemia, and hypertension, and a history of pulmonary embolism.
Medications brought on admission included lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil), hydrochlorothiazide
(Microzide), warfarin (Coumadin), low-dose aspirin, ginkgo biloba, and echinacea. Which potential
interaction will cause the nurse to notify the patient’s health care provider?
a.
Echinacea and warfarin
b.
Lisinopril and echinacea
c.
Warfarin and ginkgo biloba
d.
Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide
ANS: C
Warfarin and blood thinners interact with ginkgo biloba (designed to improve memory). All herbal
supplements should be evaluated with current pharmacological medications. The other options do
not have interactions with each other.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Implementation
MSC:Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient asks the nurse for a nonmedical approach for excessive worry and work stress. Which
therapy should the nurse recommend?
a.
Meditation
b.
Acupuncture
c.
Ayurvedic herbs
d.
Chiropractic care
ANS: A
Meditation is indicated for stress-related illness and is a nonmedical approach. In addition,
meditation increases productivity, improves mood, increases sense of identity, and lowers irritability.
Acupuncture, ayurvedic, and chiropractic are all medical approaches. The use of ayurvedic herbs
has been available for centuries to treat illness and is a type of whole medical system. Acupuncture
focuses on redirecting vital energy (qi) in the body’s meridian energy lines to influence deeper
internal organs. Chiropractic therapy involves manipulation of the spinal column and includes
physiotherapy and diet therapy.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:692
OBJ: Describe the clinical applications of relaxation therapies. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. A nurse is teaching about the therapy that is more effective in treating physical ailments than in
preventing disease or managing chronic illness. Which therapy is the nurse describing?
a.
Complementary
b.
Allopathic
c.
Alternative
d.
Mind-body
ANS: B
Despite the success of allopathic or biomedicine (conventional Western medicine), many conditions
such as chronic back and neck pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal problems, allergies, headache, and
anxiety continue to be difficult to treat. Complementary, alternative, and mind-body types of
medicines can be used in tandem with allopathic medicines but are distinctly different.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:688
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. During a relaxation therapy skills group, the instructor discusses the cognitive skill of learning to
tolerate uncertain and unfamiliar experiences. Which skill is the nurse describing?
a.
Passivity
b.
Focusing
c.
Mindfulness
d.
Receptivity
ANS: D
Receptivity is defined as the ability to tolerate and accept experiences that are uncertain, unfamiliar,
or paradoxical. Passivity is the ability to stop unnecessary goal-directed and analytical activity.
Focusing is the ability to identify, differentiate, maintain attention on, and return attention to simple
stimuli for an extended period. Mindfulness is not a cognitive skill needed in relaxation therapy but is
needed for meditation.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:691
OBJ:Discuss the relaxation response and its effect on somatic ailments.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. A patient asks about the new clinic in town that is staffed by allopathic and complementary
practitioners. Which response from the nurse is best?
a.
It is probably an ayurvedic clinic.
b.
It is probably a homeopathic clinic.
c.
It is probably an integrative medical clinic.
d.
It is probably a naturopathic medical clinic.
ANS: C
An integrative medical program allows health care consumers to be treated by a team of providers
consisting of both allopathic and complementary practitioners. Several therapies are always
considered alternative because they are based on completely different philosophies and life systems
from those used by allopathic medicine. Alternative therapies include ayurvedic, homeopathic, and
naturopathic.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:689 | 696
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. The group leader is overheard saying to the gathering of patients, “Focus on your breathing once
again …. Notice how it is regular …. Now focus on your left arm …. Notice how relaxed your left arm
feels …. Notice the relaxation going down the left arm to the hand.” A patient asks the nurse what
the group is doing. What is the nurse’s best response?
a.
It is progressive relaxation training.
b.
It is group biofeedback.
c.
It is guided imagery.
d.
It is meditation.
ANS: A
Progressive relaxation training teaches the individual how to effectively rest and reduce tension in
the body. The technique used in this scenario involves the use of slow, deep abdominal breathing
while tightening and relaxing an ordered succession of muscle groups. Although meditation does
include abdominal breathing, along with guided imagery and biofeedback, it does not include
tightening and relaxing of muscle groups in an ordered succession.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:692
OBJ: Describe the clinical applications of relaxation therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. A therapeutic touch practitioner scans the patient’s body. What is the purpose of the practitioner’s
actions?
a.
To identify blocked moxibustion
b.
To identify universal life energy
c.
To identify energy obstructions
d.
To identify structural and functional imbalance
ANS: C
The practitioner scans the body of the patient with the palms (roughly 2 to 6 inches [5 to 15 cm] from
the body) from head to toe. While assessing the energetic biofield of the patient, the practitioner
focuses on the quality of the qi and areas of energy obstructions, redirecting the energy to
harmonize and move. Chiropractic therapy involves balancing structural and functional imbalance
through spinal manipulation. Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves
burning moxa, a cone or stick of dried herbs that have healing properties, on or near the skin. Reiki
therapy transfers “universal life energy.”
DIF:Apply (application)REF:694
OBJ: Describe the methods of and the psychophysiological responses to therapeutic touch.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
10. A nurse is teaching a patient about meridians. Which technique is the nurse preparing the patient
to receive?
a.
Acupuncture
b.
Naturopathic
c.
Latin American traditional healing
d.
Native American traditional healing
ANS: A
Acupuncture regulates or realigns the vital energy (qi), which flows like a river through the body in
channels that form a system of 20 pathways called meridians. Naturopathic therapeutics include
herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, physical medicine, homeopathy, lifestyle counseling,
and mind-body therapies with an orientation toward assisting the person’s internal capacity for selfhealing (vitalism). Tribal traditions are individualistic, but similarities across traditions include the use
of sweating and purging, herbal remedies, and ceremonies in which a shaman (a spiritual healer)
makes contact with spirits to ask their direction in bringing healing to people to promote wholeness
and healing. Curanderismo is a Latin American traditional healing system that includes a humoral
model for classifying food, activity, drugs, and illnesses and a series of folk illnesses. The goal is to
create a balance between the patient and his or her environment, thereby sustaining health.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:691
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. A Native American patient is asking for a spiritual healer. Which person should the nurse try to
contact for the patient?
a.
Shaman
b.
Vitalist
c.
Ayurvedic
d.
Curanderismo
ANS: A
Tribal traditions are individualistic, but similarities across traditions include the use of sweating and
purging, herbal remedies, and ceremonies in which a shaman (a spiritual healer) makes contact with
spirits to ask their direction in bringing healing to people to promote wholeness and healing.
Naturopathic therapeutics include herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, physical medicine,
homeopathy, lifestyle counseling, and mind-body therapies with an orientation toward assisting the
person’s internal capacity for self-healing (vitalism). One of the oldest systems of medicine
(Ayurvedic) has been practiced in India since the first century AD. Curanderismo is a Latin American
traditional healing system that includes a humoral model for classifying food, activity, drugs, and
illnesses and a series of folk illnesses.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:690
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
12. A nurse is using the holistic approach to care. Which goal is the priority?
a.
Integrate spiritual treatments.
b.
Join physical care with a vegan diet.
c.
Incorporate the mind-body-spirit connection.
d.
Use complementary and alternative therapies.
ANS: C
Beliefs and values that are consistent with an approach to health that incorporates the mind, body,
and spirit comprise the holistic approach. Holistic nursing treats the mind-body-spirit of the patient,
using interventions such as relaxation therapy, music therapy, touch therapies, and guided imagery.
Spiritual treatments are a part of holistic care but not the priority. A vegan diet is an aspect of dietary
treatment, but it does not allow for alternative viewpoints or well-rounded care. A holistic nurse may
use complementary and alternative therapies to meet the priority goal of incorporating body-mindspirit.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:688
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. A nurse is using caring-healing relationships to support whole person/whole systems healing.
Which type of nursing is the nurse using?
a.
Holistic nursing
b.
Integrative nursing
c.
Interprofessional nursing
d.
Complementary and alternative nursing
ANS: B
Grounded in six principles, integrative nursing is defined as “a way of being-knowing-doing that
advances the health and well-being of persons, families, and communities through caring-healing
relationships.” Integrative nurses use evidence to inform traditional and emerging interventions that
support whole person/whole systems healing. Holistic nursing treats the mind-body-spirit of the
patient, using interventions such as relaxation therapy, music therapy, touch therapies, and guided
imagery. Integrative health care, a strategy that is gaining popularity, involves interprofessional
group practices where patients receive care simultaneously from more than one type of practitioner;
nurses must interact with other health care professionals for any type of nursing. An integrative
nurse will use complementary and alternative therapies to provide integrative nursing.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:689
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
14. A nurse is teaching a patient relaxation techniques to decreases stress. Which finding will
support the nurse’s evaluation that the therapy is effective?
a.
Dilated pupils
b.
Increased blood sugar
c.
Decreased heart rate
d.
Elevated blood pressure
ANS: C
Decreased heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption and increased
alpha brain activity and peripheral skin temperature characterize the relaxation response. The
physiological cascade of changes associated with the stress response includes increased heart and
respiratory rates, muscle tightening, increased metabolic rate, a sense of foreboding, fear,
nervousness, irritability, and a negative mood. Other physiological responses include elevated blood
pressure; dilated pupils; stronger cardiac contractions; and increased levels of blood glucose, serum
cholesterol, circulating free fatty acids, and triglycerides.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:691
OBJ:Discuss the relaxation response and its effect on somatic ailments.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. A nurse is providing different types of therapies to a patient with excessive fatigue and cancer.
Which technique will cause the nurse manager to intervene?
a.
Meditation
b.
Guided imagery
c.
Passive relaxation
d.
Active progressive relaxation
ANS: D
The nurse manager needs to intervene if the nurse uses active progressive relaxation. Active
progressive relaxation is not appropriate for patients with advanced disease or decreased energy
reserves. Passive relaxation or guided imagery or meditation is more appropriate for these
individuals.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:692
OBJ:Discuss the relaxation response and its effect on somatic ailments.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
16. A nurse is emphasizing the use of touch to decrease “skin hunger” in caring for patients. Which
age group is the nurse primarily describing?
a.
Infants
b.
Children
c.
Middle age
d.
Older adults
ANS: D
Touch is a primal need, as necessary as food, growth, or shelter. Touch is like a nutrient transmitted
through the skin, and “skin hunger” is like a form of malnutrition that has reached epidemic
proportions in the United States, especially among older adults. While infants, children, and middle
age may be affected, it is the older adult who is most affected.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:695
OBJ: Describe the methods of and the psychophysiological responses to therapeutic touch.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. A patient is proficient at meditation from long-time use of the technique. Which finding in the
medication history will cause the nurse to follow up?
a.
Takes thyroid-regulating medication
b.
Takes corticosteroid medication
c.
Takes loop diuretic medication
d.
Takes anticoagulant medication
ANS: A
Prolonged practice of meditation techniques sometimes reduces the need for antihypertensive,
thyroid-regulating, and psychotropic medications (e.g., antidepressants and antianxiety agents). In
these cases, adjustment of the medication is necessary. Corticosteroid, loop diuretic, and
anticoagulant medications are not affected by meditation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:693
OBJ: Identify the principles and effectiveness of imagery, meditation, and breathwork.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
18. A patient is taking an antidepressant medication. The nurse discovers that the patient uses
herbs. Which herb will cause the nurse to intervene?
a.
Aloe
b.
Garlic
c.
Chamomile
d.
Saw palmetto
ANS: C
Potential drug interactions with chamomile include drugs that cause drowsiness like antidepressants.
Aloe, garlic, and saw palmetto do not interfere with antidepressants.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
19. A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of biofeedback. Which goal should the nurse add to
the care plan?
a.
Opens emotional channels
b.
Uses music to calm the mind
c.
Holds various postures with breathing
d.
Controls autonomic physiological functions
ANS: D
Biofeedback is a process providing a person with visual or auditory information about autonomic
physiological functions of the body such as muscle tension, skin temperature, and brain wave
activity through the use of instruments. Breathwork can open emotional channels. Music therapy
uses music to address physical, psychological, cognitive, and social needs of certain individuals.
Yoga focuses on body musculature, holding of postures, and proper breathing mechanisms.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:690 | 693-694
OBJ: Describe the purpose and principles of biofeedback. TOP: Planning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
20. Which patient will cause the nurse to question an order for acupuncture?
a.
A patient with AIDS
b.
A patient with osteoarthritis
c.
A patient with low back pain
d.
A patient with migraine headaches
ANS: A
You need to exercise caution when using acupuncture with pregnant patients and those who have a
history of seizures, are carriers of hepatitis, or are immune compromised (AIDS). Acupuncture is a
safe therapy for low back pain, migraine headaches, and osteoarthritis.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:694
OBJ:Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is describing the therapeutic effects of imagery. Which information should the nurse
include in the teaching session? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Controls pain
b.
Decreases nightmares
c.
Improves social anxiety disorders
d.
Helps with irritable bowel syndrome
e.
Reduces relapses in alcohol treatment
ANS: A, B, D
Imagery helps control or relieve pain, decrease nightmares, and improve sleep. It also aids in the
treatment of chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Increased anxiety and fear
sometimes occur when imagery is used to treat post-traumatic stress disorders and social anxiety
disorders. Meditation successfully reduces relapses in alcohol treatment programs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:693
OBJ: Identify the principles and effectiveness of imagery, meditation, and breathwork.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
MATCHING
A nurse is teaching a class over herbs and their uses. Which condition will the nurse match to its
specific herb for the teaching session?
a.
Elevated cholesterol levels
b.
Nausea and vomiting
c.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
d.
Skin inflammation
e.
Mild anxiety
f.
Unsafe and should not be used
1.Aloe
2. Garlic
3. Valerian
4. Ginger
5. Saw palmetto
6. Chaparral
1.ANS:DDIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
2.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3.ANS:EDIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
4.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6.ANS:FDIF:Apply (application)REF:697
OBJ: Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 34: Self-Concept
Chapter 34: Self-Concept
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for an older-adult patient. Which technique will the nurse use to enhance an
older-adult patient’s self-concept?
a.
Discussing current weather
b.
Encouraging patients to sing
c.
Reviewing old photos with patients
d.
Allowing patients extra computer time
ANS: C
Nurses can improve self-concept by reviewing old photographs when working with older-adult
patients. This form of life review is helpful to older adults in remembering positive life events and
people. Discussing weather does not involve personal reflection. Singing does not improve selfconcept. Giving patients extra computer time is not applicable to improving self-concept but may
help with learning.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:706
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. While gathering an adolescent’s health history, the nurse recognizes that the patient began to act
out behaviorally and engaged in risky behavior when the patient’s parents divorced. Which
information will the nurse gather to determine situational low self-esteem?
a.
How long the parents were married
b.
How the patient views behaviors
c.
Why the parents are divorcing
d.
Why the patient is acting out of control
ANS: B
A nurse can identify situational life stressors that can impact a person’s self-concept. By asking
about a patient’s thoughts and feelings, the nurse will be able to use communication skills in a
therapeutic manner. This will facilitate the patient’s insight into behaviors and will enable the nurse to
make referrals or provide needed health teaching. The length of time married and the reason for the
parents’ divorce do not explain the patient’s behaviors. Why the patient is acting out of control is not
as important as how the patient views actions when out of control.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:709
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. A nurse is assessing a group of adolescents. Which person is most likely to have the highest selfesteem?
a.
Latino adolescent female who has strong ethnic pride
b.
Caucasian boy who lives below federal poverty level
c.
African-American adolescent male who has severe acne
d.
Adolescent who was suspended twice from high school
ANS: A
When cultural identity is central to self-concept and is positive, cultural pride and self-esteem tend to
be strong. Environmental stressors such as low-income, body image stressors such as acne, and
role performance failure often influence self-esteem negatively.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:701 | 703
OBJ: Examine cultural considerations that affect self-concept. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is dealing with the developmental task known as initiative
versus guilt. The nurse is providing care to which patient?
a.
A 3-week-old neonate
b.
A 5-year-old kindergarten student
c.
An 11-year-old student
d.
A 15-year-old high school student
ANS: B
The initiative versus guilt developmental stage occurs between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The
patient is a 5-year-old kindergarten student. If a child shows initiative, the outcome of this
developmental task is to develop purpose. A neonate developmental task is to develop trust. An 11year-old is into new skill mastery (industry), and a 15-year-old is struggling with identity versus role
confusion.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:702
OBJ:Describe the components of self-concept as related to psychosocial and cognitive
developmental stages.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A verbally abusive partner has told a significant other many negative comments over the years. In
the crisis center, the nurse would anticipate that the patient may have which self-concept deficits?
a.
Body image
b.
Role confusion
c.
Rigidity
d.
Yearning
ANS: A
Over the years of marriage, the significant other incorporates this devaluation into his or her own
self-concept, negatively affecting body image. The way others view a person’s body and the
feedback offered are also influential on body image and self-concept. Role confusion is part of a
developmental task (identity versus role confusion) for adolescents. Rigidity and yearning are not
components of self-concept.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:702-703
OBJ:Discuss factors that influence the components of self-concept.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. Two 50-year-old men are discussing their Saturday activities. The first man describes how he
tutors children as a volunteer at a community center. The other man says that he would never work
with children and that he prefers to work out at the gym to meet young women to date. Which
developmental stage is the second man exhibiting?
a.
Mistrust
b.
Inferiority
c.
Generativity
d.
Self-absorption
ANS: D
In the generativity versus self-absorption developmental task, a self-absorbed person is concerned
about own personal wants and desires in a self-centered manner. Generativity is the first man’s
developmental stage. Trust versus mistrust occurs in the first year of life. Industry versus inferiority
commonly occurs in school children. Identity versus role confusion commonly occurs at the start of
adolescence into young adulthood.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:702-703
OBJ:Describe the components of self-concept as related to psychosocial and cognitive
developmental stages.TOP:Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
7. An adult son is adjusting to the idea of his chronically ill parents moving into his family home. The
community health nurse is assessing the adult son for potential stressors secondary to the new
family living arrangement. Which stressor will the nurse assess for in this adult son?
a.
Role confusion
b.
Role ambiguity
c.
Role performance
d.
Role overload
ANS: D
Role overload involves having more roles or responsibilities within a role than are manageable. Role
overload is common in individuals who unsuccessfully attempt to meet the demands of work and
family while trying to find some personal time. Role confusion is an aspect of the developmental task
of adolescence and young adulthood (identity versus role confusion). Role ambiguity involves
unclear role expectations. Role performance is the way in which individuals perceive their ability to
carry out significant roles; it is not a stressor unless it is judged ineffective. There is no data in the
question to indicate this.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:706
OBJ:Identify stressors that affect self-concept and self-esteem.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. A nurse grimaces while changing a patient’s colostomy bag. Which effect will the nurse’s
behavior most likely have on the patient?
a.
Assist recovery by using honest communication.
b.
Motivate the patient to increase physical activity.
c.
Promote development of a negative body image.
d.
Develop a kind nickname for the colostomy bag.
ANS: C
Negative nonverbal reactions by a nurse to a patient’s scar or surgical alterations contribute to the
patient’s developing a negative body image. Nurses who have shocked or disgusted facial
expressions contribute to patients’ developing a negative body image. Expressions of distaste by the
nurse will not facilitate recovery or ongoing communication, encourage physical activity, or promote
acceptance of the colostomy bag by adopting a positive nickname.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:706-707
OBJ: Explore ways in which a nurse’s self-concept and nursing actions affect a patient’s self-concept
and self-esteem. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. A male patient states, “I’m such a loser. I only had that job for a month.” Which outcome criteria
will the nurse add to the patient’s care plan?
a.
The patient will verbalize two life areas in which he functions well.
b.
The patient will find new employment before the next clinic visit.
c.
The patient will confront a former boss about previous work problems.
d.
The patient will identify two reasons why he is considered a bad employee.
ANS: A
Verbalizing two life areas in which a person functions well is an individualized measurable outcome
that is realistic. Confronting a former boss could have physical and emotional repercussions for the
patient. If the patient is voicing that he has problems obtaining employment, then putting extra
pressure to obtain employment would be detrimental to the patient and does not reflect a supportive
and caring nursing outcome. Focusing on the negative of why the patient is considered a bad
employee is not as beneficial as focusing on strengths.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:710 | 711-712 | 713
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. A nurse is teaching a patient about self-concept. Which information from the patient indicates the
nurse needs to follow up about components of self-concept?
a.
One component is identity.
b.
One component is coping.
c.
One component is body image.
d.
One component is role performance.
ANS: B
The nurse will need to follow up for the information that a component of self-concept is coping; this is
a misconception and must be corrected. The components of self-concept are identity, body image,
and role performance. While self-concept may affect coping, coping is not a component of selfconcept.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:701 | 703-704
OBJ:Describe the components of self-concept as related to psychosocial and cognitive
developmental stages.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Management of Care
11. Which individual is most likely to need the nurse’s assistance in coping with identity confusion?
a.
A 49-year-old male with stable employment
b.
A 35-year-old recently divorced mother of twins
c.
A 22 year old in the third year of college
d.
A 50-year-old self-employed woman
ANS: B
Identity confusion results when people do not maintain a clear, consistent, and continuous
consciousness of personal identity. A newly divorced woman would be trying to adapt to a new
lifestyle of being single while handling parenting of twins as a single parent. This situation could lead
to identity confusion. A college sophomore would have had at least 2 years to adjust to the new life
setting, and a self-employed woman would likely be content with creating her own employment
opportunity. There is no indication that the middle-aged man with stable employment should have
identity confusion.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:705
OBJ: Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict. TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
12. A nurse is assessing a patient for possible altered self-concept. Which assessment finding is
consistent with altered self-concept?
a.
Appropriately dressed with clean clothes
b.
Hesitant to express opinions
c.
Independent attitude
d.
Holds eye contact
ANS: B
Hesitant to express views or opinions is a behavior suggestive of altered self-concept. Holds eye
contact, independent attitude, and appropriate appearance are all signs of normal self-concept.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:708
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. A nurse is caring for a postoperative mastectomy patient. Which action is a priority for
increasing self-awareness?
a.
Solving problems for the patient before developing insight
b.
Using communication skills to clarify family and patient expectations
c.
Telling the patient that it will be fine because many others have survived
d.
Rotating nursing personnel in the patient’s care, so the patient can talk to many people
ANS: B
Increase the patient’s self-awareness by allowing him or her to openly explore thoughts and feelings.
A priority nursing intervention is the expert use of therapeutic communication skills to clarify the
expectations of a patient and family. Interventions designed to help a patient reach the goal of
adapting to changes in self-concept or attaining a positive self-concept are based on the premise
that the patient first develops insight and self-awareness concerning problems and stressors and
then acts to solve the problems and cope with the stressors. Reassurance that a person will do fine
dismisses any potential concerns the patient may have. Rotating nursing personnel does not allow
time for the patient to build rapport with any one nurse.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:712
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
14. The nurse in an addictions clinic is working with a patient on priority setting before the patient’s
discharge from residential treatment. Which goal is a priority at this time?
a.
Identifying local self-help groups before being discharged from the program
b.
Stating a plan to never be tempted by illicit substances after discharge
c.
Staying away from all triggers that cause substance abuse
d.
Recognizing personal areas of weakness to grow stronger
ANS: A
Look for strengths in both the individual and the family, and provide resources and education to turn
limitations into strengths, such as local self-help groups. It is not realistic to avoid ALL triggers that
can result in addictive behaviors. It is unrealistic to believe that the patient will never be tempted
because temptation can arise from multiple sources. On the other hand, an appropriate priority
would be to recognize that triggers will arise and that the patient should learn how to handle being
confronted in the post-discharge setting. Having a person talk about weaknesses without
recognizing a person’s strengths could be a trigger to return to an addictive lifestyle, so this would
not be the most appropriate priority.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:712
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. A nurse is teaching a patient about self-concept. Which information from the patient indicates a
correct understanding of the teaching?
a.
Self-concept is how a person feels about others.
b.
Self-concept is how a person thinks about others.
c.
Self-concept is how a person feels about oneself.
d.
Self-concept is how a person thinks about oneself.
ANS: D
Self-concept, or how a person thinks about oneself, directly affects self-esteem, or how
one feelsabout oneself. While others may influence self-concept, self-concept is not how one feels or
thinks about others.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:701
OBJ:Discuss factors that influence the components of self-concept.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
16. A nurse is evaluating a patient’s self-concept. Which key indicator will the nurse use?
a.
Drug abuse history
b.
Nonverbal behavior
c.
Personal journal entries
d.
Posts on social media
ANS: B
Key indicators of a patient’s self-concept are nonverbal behaviors. A history of drug abuse does not
necessarily indicate current self-concept, and people who do not have a drug abuse history may
have a low self-concept. It would be an invasion of privacy and trust for a nurse to read a patient’s
personal journal or social media posts.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:713
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
17. A nurse is assessing a patient’s self-concept. Which area should the nurse assess first?
a.
Role performance
b.
Vital signs
c.
Anxiety
d.
Morals
ANS: A
In assessing self-concept and self-esteem, first focus on each component of self-concept (identity,
body image, and role performance). Self-concept is a psychological/emotional issue, not a physical
issue for vital signs. Anxiety may be a stressors or a sign of low self-concept. Self-concept is not a
moral issue.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:708
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
18. A 9-year-old is proudly telling the nurse about mastering the yellow belt in a martial arts class.
Which developmental stage is the child exhibiting?
a.
Initiative versus guilt
b.
Industry versus inferiority
c.
Identity versus role confusion
d.
Autonomy versus shame and doubt
ANS: B
Industry versus inferiority occurs between the ages of 6 and 12 years. It is during this developmental
task that a person gains self-esteem through new skill mastery. Initiative versus guilt is for 3 to 6
years, focusing on increasing language skills with identification of feelings. Identity versus role
confusion is 12 to 20 years, focusing on finding a sense of self. Autonomy versus shame and doubt
is 1 to 3 years, focusing on becoming more independent.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:702
OBJ:Describe the components of self-concept as related to psychosocial and cognitive
developmental stages.TOP:Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A nurse is developing a drinking prevention presentation for adolescents. Which areas should
the nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
Stressful life events and scholarships
b.
Very high self-esteem and work failure
c.
Health problems and avoidance of conflict
d.
Stress management and improving self-esteem
ANS: D
Drinking prevention efforts should include stress management and improving self-esteem. High selfesteem decreases risk of drinking. Stressful life events when balanced with positive issues, such as
receipt of a scholarship, are less likely to induce drinking. Conflict resolution can strengthen
adolescent coping strategies to decrease drinking.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:707
OBJ:Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict.TOP:Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
20. A nurse is completing a history on a patient with role conflict. Which finding is consistent with role
conflict?
a.
A patient is unsure about job expectations in a fast-paced company.
b.
A patient has to travel for work and misses children’s birthdays.
c.
A patient feels less of a man after a leg amputation.
d.
A patient loses a job from the company’s downsizing.
ANS: B
Role conflict results when a person has to simultaneously assume two or more roles that are
inconsistent, contradictory, or mutually exclusive—for example, when a patient has to travel for work
and misses children’s birthdays. Role ambiguity is also common in employment situations. In
complex, rapidly changing, or highly specialized organizations, employees often become unsure
about job expectations. Feeling less of a man after a leg amputation is a body image and selfconcept/self-esteem problem. Losing a job can lead to low self-esteem or loss of job identity.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:705
OBJ: Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is assessing a patient’s self-concept. Which areas will the nurse include? (Select all that
apply.)
a.
Identity
b.
Body image
c.
Coping behaviors
d.
Significant others’ support
e.
Availability of insurance
ANS: A, B, C, D
Assessment of self-concept includes identity, body image, coping behaviors, and significant others’
support. Availability of insurance is not a component of self-concept.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:703-704
OBJ:Apply the nursing process to promote a patient’s self-concept.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MATCHING
A nurse is assessing a group of patients. Match the assessment finding to the area the nurse is
assessing.
a.
I am ugly with all these burn scars.
b.
I am one with the universe.
c.
I am good for nothing.
d.
I am a good mother.
1. Identity confusion
2. Disturbed body image
3. Role performance
4. Low self-esteem
1.ANS:BDIF:Apply (application)REF:703-704
OBJ: Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2.ANS:ADIF:Apply (application)REF:703-704
OBJ: Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3.ANS:DDIF:Apply (application)REF:703-704
OBJ: Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4.ANS:CDIF:Apply (application)REF:703-704
OBJ: Discuss evidence-based practice applicable for identity confusion, disturbed body image, low
self-esteem, and role conflict. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 35: Sexuality
Chapter 35: Sexuality
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is caring for a 15-year-old who in the past 6 months has had multiple male and female
sexual partners. Which response by the nurse will be most effective?
“Sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy are a real risk. Let’s discuss what you think is the best method
a. for protecting yourself.”
“Having sexual interaction with both males and females places you at higher risk for STIs. To protect yourself, you need to
b. decide which orientation you are.”
c. “Your current friends are leading you to make poor choices. You should find new friends to hang out with.”
d. “I think it’s best to notify your parents. They know what’s best for you and can help make sure you practice safe sex.”
ANS: A
Some adolescents participate in risky behaviors. The nurse should acknowledge this feeling to the
patient and offer education and alternatives, while giving the patient the autonomy to make his or her
own decisions. Adolescents who engage in sexual risk behaviors experience negative health
outcomes such as STIs and unintended pregnancy. In addition, the pattern of risk-taking behavior
tends to be established and continue throughout life. The nurse should not force the patient to make
a choice of orientation and should not pass judgment on a patient’s sexual orientation or social
network; this would make the patient feel defensive and would eliminate the trust in the relationship.
Involving parents is not the first line of action; parents should be notified only if the child is in a life or
death situation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:717 | 720 | 728
OBJ:Identify patient risk factors in the area of sexual health.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who expresses a desire to have an elective abortion. The nurse’s
religious and ethical values are strongly opposed. How should the nurse best handle the situation?
a.
Attempt to educate the patient about the consequences of abortion.
b.
Refer the patient to a family planning center or another health professional.
c.
Continue to care for the patient, and limit conversation as much as possible.
d.
Inform the patient that, because of immoral issues, another nurse will have to care for her.
ANS: B
The nurse must be aware of personal beliefs and values and is not required to participate in
counseling or procedures that compromise those values. However, the patient is entitled to
nonjudgmental care and should be referred to someone who can create a trusting environment. The
nurse should not care for a patient if the quality of care could be jeopardized. The nurse should not
attempt to push personal values onto a patient. The nurse also should not create tension by
informing the patient that he or she does not have the same morals; this could cause the patient to
feel guilty or defensive when receiving care from any health care professional.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:720-721
OBJ:Identify personal attitudes, beliefs, and biases related to sexuality.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
3. Which patient is most in need of a nurse’s referral to adoption services?
a.
A woman considering abortion for an unwanted pregnancy
b.
An infertile couple religiously opposed to artificial insemination
c.
A woman who suffered miscarriage during her first pregnancy
d.
An infertile couple who has been attempting conception for 3 months
ANS: B
Adoption is an option for someone with infertility, especially if infertility treatments are unavailable
owing to religious or financial constraints. A patient who wishes to have an elective abortion may be
educated about all the possibilities, but the nurse should approach the patient in a nonjudgmental
manner and should accept the patient’s decision. When a patient has recently miscarried, the nurse
should assess the patient’s feelings about the loss and should address any concerns the patient
may have about fertility. Infertility is the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse;
therefore, talking about adoption after one miscarriage or after only 3 months of attempting
conception would be too soon.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:721
OBJ: Identify health care providers and community resources available to help patients resolve
sexual concerns that are outside the nurse’s level of expertise. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who recently had unprotected sex with a partner who has HIV.
Which response by the nurse is best?
a.
“You should have your blood drawn today to see if you were infected.”
b.
“If you have the virus, you will have flu-like symptoms in 6 months.”
c.
“Highly active antiretroviral therapy has been shown effective in slowing the disease process.”
d.
“I will set you up with a support group to help you cope with dying within the next 10 years.”
ANS: C
Highly active retroviral therapy increases the survival time of a person with HIV or AIDS. HIV
antibodies will not show up in blood work for 6 weeks to 3 months. The infection stage of HIV lasts
for about a month after the virus is contracted; during that time, the patient may experience flu-like
symptoms. A support group may be beneficial for a patient who contracts HIV; however, it is
unknown whether the patient has contracted HIV, and antiretroviral therapy has helped people live
beyond the 10 years expected if HIV goes untreated.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:719
OBJ: Identify and describe nursing interventions to promote sexual health.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Physiological Adaptation
5. An 18-year-old male patient informs the nurse that he isn’t sure if he is homosexual because he is
attracted to both genders. Which response by the nurse will help establish a trusting relationship?
a.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a phase you will grow out of.”
b.
“Those are abnormal impulses. You should seek therapy.”
c.
“At your age, it is normal to be curious about both genders.”
d.
“Having questions about sexuality is normal but if these sexual activities make you feel bad you should stop.”
ANS: C
Adolescents have questions about sexuality. The patient will feel most comfortable discussing his
sexual concerns further if the nurse establishes that it is normal to ask questions about sexuality.
The nurse can then discuss in greater detail. Although it is normal for young adults to be curious
about sexuality, the nurse should use caution in giving advice on taking sexual action. The nurse
should promote safe sex practices. Telling the patient not to worry dismisses his concern. Telling the
patient that he is abnormal might offend the patient and prevent him from establishing an open
relationship.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:717 | 723
OBJ:Describe key concepts of sexual development across the life span.
TOP:Communication and Documentation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A nurse is caring for a 35-year-old female patient who recently started taking antidepressants after
repeated attempts at fertility treatment. The patient tells the nurse, “I feel happier, but my sex drive is
gone.” Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority?
a.
Sexual dysfunction
b.
Ineffective coping
c.
Risk for self-directed violence
d.
Deficient knowledge about contraception
ANS: A
Antidepressants have adverse effects on sexual desire and response. The nurse should be sure to
educate the patient on the potential for these side effects and how to correct for them, for example,
using lubricant to ease discomfort. The patient has taken steps toward effective coping by seeking
therapy. The patient has not expressed a reason for the nurse to be concerned about
contraceptives. The nurse should always assess for concerns about violence in a patient’s life.
Although some antidepressants have been related to self-directed violence, this patient focus is on
becoming pregnant (fertility treatments) but sex drive is gone.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:721 | 724 | 725
OBJ: Formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses for patients with alterations in sexuality.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
7. A nurse is using the PLISSIT model when caring for a patient with dyspareunia from diminished
vaginal secretions. The nurse suggests using water-soluble lubricants. Which component of PLISSIT
is the nurse using?
a.
P
b.
LI
c.
SS
d.
IT
ANS: C
The nurse is using the specific suggestions (SS). The PLISSIT model is as follows:
Permission to discuss sexuality issues
Limited Information related to sexual health problems being experienced
Specific Suggestions—only when the nurse is clear about the problem
Intensive Therapy—referral to professional with advanced training if necessary
DIF:Apply (application)REF:723
OBJ: Identify and describe nursing interventions to promote sexual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
8. A patient who has had several sexual partners in the past month expresses a desire to use a
contraceptive. Which contraceptive method should the nurse recommend?
a.
Condom
b.
Diaphragm
c.
Spermicide
d.
Oral contraceptive
ANS: A
Condoms are both a contraceptive and a barrier against STIs and HIV; proper use will greatly
reduce the risk. Spermicides, diaphragms, and oral contraceptives all protect against pregnancy;
however, they are not a barrier and do not prevent bodily fluids from coming in contact with the
patient during sexual intercourse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:718 | 728
OBJ: Use critical thinking skills when helping patients meet their sexual needs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. A woman who has been in a monogamous relationship for the past 6 months presents to clinic
with herpes on her labia. The patient is distraught because her partner must have cheated on her.
Which response by the nurse is most effective in establishing an open rapport with a patient?
a.
Share a story.
b.
Inform the patient that all encounters are confidential.
c.
Encourage the patient to break up with her partner for cheating.
d.
Tell the patient that she must be honest about every sexual experience she has had.
ANS: B
If open communication is to be established with the patient, the patient must know that she can trust
health care team members. By telling the patient that all encounters are confidential, the nurse
establishes trust. Sharing a story brings the focus to the nurse, inhibiting open rapport. The nurse
does not tell the patient what to do, because that should be the patient’s decision. Forcing the
patient to confide by sharing every sexual encounter may hinder a trusting relationship.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:719 | 722 | 726
OBJ: Assess a patient’s sexuality. TOP: Communication and Documentation
MSC:Management of Care
10. A nurse is preparing a community class about sexually transmitted infections. Which primary
group will the nurse focus on for this class?
a.
Bisexual women
b.
Men who have sex with men
c.
Youths between the ages of 24 and 27
d.
Pregnant women and their partners
ANS: B
About 20 million people in the United States are diagnosed with an STI each year, with the highest
incidence occurring in men who have sex with men, bisexual men, and youths between the ages of
15 and 24. While bisexual women, youths between the ages of 24 and 27, and pregnant women and
their partners are important, they are not the primary groups affected by STIs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:719
OBJ: Discuss the nurse’s role in maintaining or enhancing a patient’s sexual health.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. The nurse is leading a seminar about menopause and age-related changes. Which response
from a group member indicates the nurse needs to follow up?
a.
“Hormones of sexual regulation decrease with aging.”
b.
“Orgasms are no longer achievable after menopause.”
c.
“The excitement phase is prolonged as we age.”
d.
“As men age, their erection may be less firm.”
ANS: B
Believing that orgasms are no long achievable requires follow-up to correct this misconception.
Orgasms are achievable at any age; however, it may take longer with aging. All other statements
indicate that the patient does have an understanding of age-related changes and needs no followup. Both genders experience a reduced availability of sex hormones. The excitement phase
prolongs in both men and women. Men often have erections that are less firm and shorter acting.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:717-718
OBJ: Evaluate patient outcomes related to sexual health needs. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
12. A patient who had a colostomy placed 1 month ago is feeling depressed and does not want to
participate in sexual activities anymore. The patient is afraid that the partner does not want sex. The
patient is afraid the ostomy is physically unattractive. Which initial nursing intervention will
be most effective in helping this patient resume sexual activity?
a.
Inform the patient about a support group for people with colostomies.
b.
Reassure the patient that lots of people resume sex the same week the colostomy is placed.
c.
Teach the patient about intimate activities that can be done to incorporate the ostomy.
d.
Discuss ways to adapt to new body image so the patient will be comfortable in resuming intimacy.
ANS: D
The nurse should first address the patient’s need to be comfortable with his or her own body image;
once the patient’s issues related to body image are resolved, intimacy may follow. Reassuring the
patient that others manage to have sexual intercourse with an ostomy may help to decrease anxiety
but may have the unintended effect of making the patient feel abnormal because he or she has not
yet resumed sexual activity. Support groups may be helpful for the patient, but this is not the most
effective initial intervention a nurse can provide; this may be helpful later. The patient is worried
about the ostomy; incorporating it into intimate activities is insensitive and can even be damaging to
the stoma.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:725
OBJ: Identify and describe nursing interventions to promote sexual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. A mother brings her 12-year-old daughter into a clinic and inquires about getting a human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that day. Which information will the nurse share with the mother and
daughter about the HPV vaccine?
a.
Protects against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
b.
Protects against cervical cancer
c.
Protects against chlamydia
d.
Protects against pregnancy
ANS: B
The HPV vaccine is effective against the four most common types of HPVs that can cause cervical
cancer. It is not effective against HIV, chlamydia, or pregnancy.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:719-720 | 728
OBJ: Discuss the nurse’s role in maintaining or enhancing a patient’s sexual health.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. A parent asks about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Which information will the nurse
include in the teaching session?
a.
It is recommended for girls 6 to 9 years old.
b.
It is recommended for females ages 11 to 26.
c.
It is recommended that booster injections be given.
d.
It is recommended to receive four required injections.
ANS: B
The vaccine is safe for girls as young as 9 years old and is recommended for females ages 11 to 26
if they have not already completed the three required injections. Booster doses currently are not
recommended. The vaccine is most effective if administered before sexual activity or exposure.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:720 | 728
OBJ: Identify and describe nursing interventions to promote sexual health.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
15. A nursing student is providing education to a group of older adults who are in an independent
living retirement village. Which statement made by the nursing student requires the nurse to
intervene?
a. “Avoiding alcohol use will enhance your sexual functioning.”
b. “You need to tell your partner how you feel about sex and any fears you may have.”
c. “You do not need to worry about getting a sexually transmitted infection at this point in your life.”
“Using pillows and taking pain medication if needed before having sexual intercourse often help alleviate pain and improve
d. sexual functioning.”
ANS: C
Research indicates many older adults are more sexuality active than previously thought and engage
in high-risk sexual encounters, resulting in a steady increase HIV and STI rates over the past 12
years. Therefore, the nurse needs to intervene when the student tells the older adults that they are
not at risk for developing an STI. Avoiding the use of alcohol; using pillows; taking pain medications
before having intercourse if needed; and communicating thoughts, fears, and feelings about sex all
enhance sexual functioning.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:717 | 728
OBJ:Describe key concepts of sexual development across the life span.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
16. A nurse is interviewing a woman who uses a diaphragm. Which information from the patient will
require the nurse to follow up?
a.
“I have lost 12 pounds on this diet.”
b.
“I use the diaphragm to prevent pregnancy.”
c.
“I use a contraceptive cream with my diaphragm.”
d.
“I know this provides a barrier over the cervical opening.”
ANS: A
The woman needs to be refitted after a significant change in weight (10-pound gain or loss) or
pregnancy. The diaphragm is a round, rubber dome that has a flexible spring around the edge. It is
used with a contraceptive cream or jelly and is inserted in the vagina so it provides a contraceptive
barrier over the cervical opening.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:718
OBJ: Identify and describe nursing interventions to promote sexual health.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
17. A nurse is conducting a sexual assessment. Which question is appropriate for the nurse to ask?
a.
Have you noticed any changes in the way you feel about yourself?
b.
What is your favorite sex position with men and with women?
c.
Do you think your partner is attractive?
d.
Why do you like men over women?
ANS: A
Asking about any changes in the way you feel about yourself is an appropriate question to ask
during a sexual assessment. Asking about favorite sex position with men and/or women is
inappropriate and invasive. The assessment needs to focus on the patient, not the partner. Asking
“why” questions is nontherapeutic and is judgmental in this scenario.
DIF: Understand (comprehension) REF: 723 OBJ: Assess a patient’s sexuality.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
18. A 15-year-old patient is concerned because her mother wants her to receive the human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, but the patient is unsure if she wants it. Which response by the
nurse is most therapeutic?
a.
Ask the patient what concerns she may have about the vaccination.
b.
Inquire about how many sexual partners she has had in the past year.
c.
Remind her that her mother knows best and that she should respect her parents’ wishes.
d.
Promote the importance of the vaccine, and recommend that the patient get the vaccine as soon as possible.
ANS: A
The nurse should encourage health promotion behaviors but first must consider the autonomy of the
patient and assess the patient for more data. The nurse should value the input of the patient in
making a decision and assess what the patient is thinking to address any concerns the patient may
have. The HPV vaccine is a preventative treatment; whether or not the patient is sexually active
(asking about how many sexual partners) does not matter in this case. The nurse should not make
assumptions about a patient’s home life (mother knows best); instead, the nurse should ask
questions while establishing a therapeutic relationship. Recommending the patient get the vaccine
as soon as possible is in violation of the patient’s rights.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:728
OBJ: Identify and describe nursing interventions to promote sexual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
19. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s history. Which priority finding will alert the nurse to assess the
patient for possible sexual dysfunction?
a.
Takes vacations out of the country
b.
Takes antianxiety medication
c.
Takes exercise classes
d.
Takes afternoon naps
ANS: B
Medications that can affect sexual functioning include antihypertensive, antipsychotics,
antidepressants, and antianxiety. Taking vacations out of the country, exercise classes, and
afternoon naps are not as priority for sexual functioning as medications.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:722
OBJ: Identify causes of sexual dysfunction. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
20. A nurse is assessing a child for sexual abuse. Which assessment findings will the nurse expect?
a.
Physical aggression and sleep disturbances
b.
Many peers and no drug usage
c.
Panic attacks and anorexia
d.
Anxiety and depression
ANS: A
Behavioral signs of sexual abuse in a child include physical aggression, sleep disturbance, poor
peer relationships, and substance abuse. Panic attacks, anorexia, anxiety, and depression are
behavioral signs for adults.
DIF: Apply (application) REF: 724 OBJ: Assess a patient’s sexuality.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
21. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a condom. Which instructions will the nurse provide?
a.
Store in a warm lit space.
b.
Use massage oils for lubrication.
c.
Rinse and reuse the condom if needed.
d.
Hold onto the condom when pulling out.
ANS: D
Teach patients to pull out right after ejaculating and to hold onto the condom when pulling out. Store
condoms in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Instruct patient to never reuse a condom or use a
damaged condom. Instruct patient to only use water-based lubricants (e.g., K-Y jelly) to prevent the
condom from breaking; do not use petroleum jelly, massage oils, body lotions, or cooking oil.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:728
OBJ: Discuss the nurse’s role in maintaining or enhancing a patient’s sexual health.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
22. A nurse is caring for a patient with dyspareunia. In which order will the nurse provide care,
starting with the first step?
1. Determine which signs and symptoms of dyspareunia the patient has.
2. Mutually decide upon goals and objectives for dyspareunia.
3. Ask the patient if the dyspareunia is improving.
4. Develop a nursing diagnosis for the patient.
5. Use resources to help resolve the problem.
a.
5, 3, 1, 4, 2
b.
1, 4, 2, 5, 3
c.
3, 1, 4, 2, 5
d.
4, 2, 5, 3, 1
ANS: B
The nurse should use the nursing process when caring for patients with sexual dysfunction.
Determine signs and symptoms (assessment); develop a nursing diagnosis (diagnosis); mutually
decide upon goals (planning); use resources to help resolve the problem (implementation); and ask
if the dyspareunia is improving (evaluation).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:723-727
OBJ: Use critical thinking skills when helping patients meet their sexual needs.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. An older couple expresses concern because they are easily fatigued during sexual intercourse
and cannot reach climax. Which strategies to increase sexual stamina will the nurse offer? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Plan sexual activity around a time when the couple feels rested.
b.
Encourage intimate touching, such as hugging and kissing.
c.
Use extra lubrication to decrease discomfort.
d.
Take pain medication before intercourse.
e.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
f.
Eat well-balanced meals.
ANS: A, E, F
Alcohol, tobacco, and certain medications (such as narcotics for pain) may cause drowsiness and
fatigue and negatively affect sexual stamina. Eating well-balanced meals can help to increase
energy levels. Planning sexual activity when the couple is well rested will help them not get fatigued
as quickly. Encouraging intimate touching may help increase libido but not energy levels. Extra
lubrication and taking pain medications may ease the discomfort of sexual intercourse but are not
appropriate interventions for fatigue.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:728
OBJ: Use critical thinking skills when helping patients meet their sexual needs.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 36: Spiritual Health
Chapter 36: Spiritual Health
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A co-worker asks the nurse to explain spirituality. What is the nurse’s best response?
a.
It has a minor effect on health.
b.
It is awareness of one’s inner self.
c.
It is not as essential as physical needs.
d.
It refers to fire or giving of life to a person.
ANS: B
Spirituality is often defined as an awareness of one’s inner self and a sense of connection to a
higher being, to nature, or to some purpose greater than oneself. Spirituality is an important factor
that helps individuals achieve the balance needed to maintain health and well-being and to cope with
illness. Florence Nightingale believed that spirituality was a force that provided energy needed to
promote a healthy hospital environment and that caring for a person’s spiritual needs was just as
essential as caring for his or her physical needs. The word spiritualitycomes from the Latin
word spiritus, which refers to breath or wind. The spirit gives life to a person.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:733
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
2. The nurse is caring for a patient who is an agnostic. Which information should the nurse consider
when planning care for this patient?
a.
The patient is devoid of spirituality.
b.
The patient does not believe in God.
c.
The patient believes there is no known ultimate reality.
d.
The patient finds no meaning through relationship with others.
ANS: C
Some people do not believe in the existence of God (atheist), or they believe that there is no known
ultimate reality (agnostic). Nonetheless, spirituality is important regardless of a person’s religious
beliefs. Agnostics discover meaning in what they do or how they live because they find no ultimate
meaning for the way things are. They believe that people bring meaning to what they do.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:734
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
3. The nurse is caring for an Islam patient who wants a snack. Which action by the nurse
is mostappropriate?
a.
Offers a ham sandwich
b.
Offers a beef sandwich
c.
Offers a kosher sandwich
d.
Offers a bacon sandwich
ANS: B
Islam religion does allow beef. Islam does not allow pork or alcohol. Ham and bacon are pork.
Kosher is allowed for Judaism.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:745
OBJ: Discuss nursing interventions designed to promote a patient’s spiritual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4. A nurse is teaching a patient how to meditate. Which information from the patient indicates
effective learning?
a.
I will lie on the floor.
b.
I will breathe quickly.
c.
I will focus on an image.
d.
I will do this for 10 minutes every day.
ANS: C
The steps of meditation include sitting in a comfortable position with the back straight; breathe
slowly; and focus on a sound, prayer, or image. Meditation should occur for 10 to 20 minutes twice a
day.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:745
OBJ: Discuss nursing interventions designed to promote a patient’s spiritual health.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. The nurse is admitting a patient to the hospital. The patient is a very spiritual person but does not
practice any specific religion. How will the nurse interpret this finding?
a.
This indicates a strong religious affiliation.
b.
This statement is contradictory.
c.
This statement is reasonable.
d.
This indicates a lack of hope.
ANS: C
The patient’s statement is reasonable and is not contradictory. Many people tend to use the
terms spirituality and religion interchangeably. Although closely associated, these terms are not
synonymous. Religious practices encompass spirituality, but spirituality does not need to include
religious practice. When a person has the attitude of something to live for and look forward to, hope
is present.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:733 | 735
OBJ:Compare and contrast the concepts of religion and spirituality.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A nurse hears the following comments from different patients. Which patient comment does the
nurse identify as faith?
a.
I go to church every Sunday.
b.
I believe there is life after death.
c.
I have something to look forward to each day.
d.
I get a feeling of awe when looking at the sunset.
ANS: B
Faith allows people to have firm beliefs despite lack of physical evidence (life after death). Religion
refers to the system of organized beliefs and worship that a person practices to outwardly express
spirituality (go to church). When a person has the attitude of something to live for and look forward
to, hope is present (look forward to each day). Self-transcendence is the belief that there is a force
outside of and greater than the person (awe when looking at a sunset).
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:734
OBJ: Describe the relationship among faith, hope, and spiritual well-being.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse is caring for a Hindu patient. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Allow time to practice the Five Pillars.
b.
Allow time to practice Blessingway.
c.
Allow time for Holy Communion.
d.
Allow time for purity rituals.
ANS: D
Hindus practice prayer and purity rituals. Blessingway is a practice of the Navajos that attempts to
remove ill health by means of stories, songs, rituals, prayers, symbols, and sand paintings. Islams
must be able to practice the Five Pillars of Islam. Holy Communion is practiced in the Christian
religion.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:739
OBJ: Discuss nursing interventions designed to promote a patient’s spiritual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. The nurse is caring for a patient with a chronic illness who is having conflicts with beliefs. Which
health care team member will the nurse ask to see this patient?
a.
The clergy
b.
A psychiatrist
c.
A social worker
d.
An occupational therapist
ANS: A
Other important resources to patients are spiritual advisors and members of the clergy. Spiritual care
helps people identify meaning and purpose in life, look beyond the present, and maintain personal
relationships, as well as a relationship with a higher being or life force. A psychiatrist is for emotional
health. A social worker focuses on social, financial, and community resources. An occupational
therapist provides care with vocational issues and functioning within physical limitations.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:735 | 743-744
OBJ:Explain the importance of establishing caring relationships with patients to provide spiritual
care.TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
9. The nurse is caring for a patient with a terminal disease. The nurse sits down and lightly touches
the patient’s hand. Which technique is the nurse using?
a.
“Doing for”
b.
Establishing presence
c.
Offering transcendence
d.
Providing health promotion
ANS: B
Establishing presence by sitting with a patient to attentively listen to his or her feelings and situation,
talking with the patient, crying with the patient, and simply offering time are powerful spiritual care
approaches. Benner explains that presence involves “being with” a patient versus “doing for” a
patient. Transcendence is the belief that a force outside of and greater than the person exists
beyond the material world. In settings where health promotion activities occur, patients often need
information, counseling, and guidance to make the necessary choices to remain healthy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:744
OBJ:Identify approaches for establishing presence with patients.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. The nurse and the patient have the same religious affiliation. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Must use a formal assessment tool to determine patient’s beliefs.
b.
Assume that both have the same spiritual beliefs.
c.
Do not impose personal values on the patient.
d.
Skip the spiritual belief assessment.
ANS: C
It is important not to impose personal value systems on the patient. This is particularly true when the
patient’s values and beliefs are similar to those of the nurse because it then becomes very easy to
make false assumptions. It is not a must to use a formal assessment tool when assessing a patient’s
beliefs. It is important to conduct the spiritual belief assessment; conducting an assessment is
therapeutic because it expresses a level of caring and support.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:738
OBJ: Explain the importance of establishing caring relationships with patients to provide spiritual
care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
11. A nurse makes a connection with the patient when providing spiritual care. Which type of
connectedness did the nurse experience?
a.
Intrapersonal
b.
Interpersonal
c.
Transpersonal
d.
Multipersonal
ANS: B
Interpersonal means connected with others and the environment. Intrapersonal means connected
within oneself. Transpersonal means connected with God or an unseen higher power. There is no
such term as multipersonal for connectedness.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:734
OBJ:Explain the importance of establishing caring relationships with patients to provide spiritual
care.TOP:CaringMSC:Psychosocial Integrity
12. The patient is admitted with chronic anxiety. Which action is most appropriate for the nurse to
take?
a.
Focus on finding quick remedies for the anxiety.
b.
Realize that the patient’s only goal is relief of the anxiety.
c.
Look at how anxiety influences the patient’s ability to function.
d.
Help the patient realize that there is little hope of relief from anxiety.
ANS: C
Do not just look at the patient’s anxiety as a problem to solve with quick remedies, but rather look at
how the anxiety influences the patient’s ability to function and achieve goals established in life (not
just anxiety relief). Mobilizing the patient’s hope is central to a healing relationship.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:744
OBJ: Assess a patient’s spirituality. TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. In caring for the patient’s spiritual needs, the nurse asks 20 questions to assess the patient’s
relationship with God and a sense of life purpose and satisfaction. Which method is the nurse using?
a.
The spiritual well-being scale
b.
The FICA assessment tool
c.
Belief tool
d.
Hope scale
ANS: A
The spiritual well-being scale (SWB) has 20 questions that assess a patient’s relationship with God
and his or her sense of life purpose and life satisfaction. The FICA assessment tool evaluates
spirituality and is closely correlated to quality of life. This does not describe belief or hope.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:738
OBJ: Assess a patient’s spirituality. TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
14. A male patient in stable condition is in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is asking to see his
spouse and two daughters. What should the nurse do?
a.
Allow only 5 to 10 minutes with the family.
b.
Allow the wife and daughters to visit at the patient’s request.
c.
Allow the two daughters to visit, and let the wife visit when they leave.
d.
Allow the wife and one daughter to enter the ICU but not the other daughter.
ANS: B
Use of support systems is important in any health care setting. Allowing the family to visit is
appropriate since the patient is in stable condition. When patients depend on family and friends for
support, encourage them to visit the patient. As long as no interference with active patient care is
involved, there is no reason to limit visitation. Limiting the visit is not necessary since the patient is
stable. Breaking the family apart is not needed; the patient is stable and can see all three at once.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:744
OBJ: Discuss nursing interventions designed to promote a patient’s spiritual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The patient
states, “I just don’t feel like going to work. I have no energy, and I can’t eat or sleep.” The patient
shows no interest in taking part in the care by saying, “What’s the use?” Which response by the
nurse is best?
a.
It sounds like you have lost hope.
b.
It sounds like you have lost energy.
c.
It sounds like you have lost your appetite.
d.
It sounds like you have lost the ability to sleep.
ANS: A
All of the patient’s description are describing a loss of hope. While losses of energy, appetite, and
sleep are indicated, they only address a part of patient’s problems. A loss of hope encompasses the
holistic view of the patient.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:735 | 744 | 746
OBJ:Explain the importance of establishing caring relationships with patients to provide spiritual
care.TOP:CaringMSC:Psychosocial Integrity
16. The patient is having a difficult time dealing with an AIDS diagnosis. The patient states, “It’s not
fair. I’m totally isolated from God and my family because of this. Even my father hates me for this.
He won’t even speak to me.” What should the nurse do?
a.
Tell the patient to move on and focus on getting better.
b.
Use therapeutic communication to establish trust and caring.
c.
Assure the patient that the father will accept this situation soon.
d.
Point out that the patient has no control and that he or she must face the consequences.
ANS: B
Application of therapeutic communication principles and caring helps you establish therapeutic trust
with patients. The nurse should not offer false hope (father will accept the situation soon). The nurse
should help the patient maintain feelings of control, not no control. The nurse should encourage
renewing relationships if possible and establishing connections with self, significant others, and God.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:736
OBJ: Discuss nursing interventions designed to promote a patient’s spiritual health.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
17. The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A patient saying that God has left and there is no reason for living.
b.
A patient refusing treatment on the Sabbath.
c.
A patient having a folk healer in the room.
d.
A patient praying to Allah.
ANS: A
A patient saying that God has left and there is no reason for living must be seen first for safety
reasons. It must be determined by the nurse if the patient is planning suicide or is just angry and
frustrated. A patient refusing treatment on the Sabbath is within that patient’s right and doesn’t need
to be seen first. A patient with a folk healer is within the patient’s right and does not need to be seen
first. A patient praying to Allah is within the patient’s right and does not need to be seen first.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:739 | 743
OBJ: Assess a patient’s spirituality. TOP: Assessment MSC: Management of Care
18. A nurse is providing spiritual care to patients. Which action is essential for the nurse to take?
a.
Know one’s own personal beliefs.
b.
Learn about other religions.
c.
Visit churches, temples, mosques, or synagogues.
d.
Travel to other areas that do not have the same beliefs.
ANS: A
Because each person has a unique spirituality, you need to know your own beliefs so you are able to
care for each patient without bias. While learning about religions, visiting other religious areas of
worship, and traveling to areas that do not have the same beliefs are beneficial, they are not
essential.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:737
OBJ: Explain the importance of establishing caring relationships with patients to provide spiritual
care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is evaluating a patient’s spiritual care. Which areas will the nurse include in the evaluation
process? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Review the patient’s view of the purpose in life.
b.
Ask whether the patient’s expectations were met.
c.
Discuss with family and friends the patient’s connectedness.
d.
Review the patient’s self-perception regarding spiritual health.
e.
Impress on the patient that spiritual health is permanent once obtained.
ANS: A, B, C, D
In evaluating care include a review of the patient’s self-perception regarding spiritual health, the
patient’s view of his or her purpose in life, discussion with the family and friends about
connectedness, and determining whether the patient’s expectations were met. Attainment of spiritual
health is a lifelong goal; it is not permanent once obtained.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:746
OBJ: Evaluate patient outcomes related to spiritual health. TOP: Evaluation
MSC:Management of Care
2. Spiritual distress has been identified in a patient who has been diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Which interventions will the nurse add to the care plan? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Offer to pray with the patient.
b.
Avoid time with the support group.
c.
Have the patient avoid church attendance.
d.
Develop activities to heal body, mind, and spirit.
e.
Teach relaxation, guided imagery, and meditation.
ANS: A, D, E
Interventions that are appropriate for spiritual distress include (1) helping the patient develop/identify
activities to heal body, mind, and spirit; (2) offering to pray with the patient; and (3) teaching
relaxation, guided imagery, and medication. Attendance at church should be encouraged as well as
spending time with a support group.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:736 | 743
OBJ: Discuss nursing interventions designed to promote a patient’s spiritual health.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
MATCHING
A nurse is providing spiritual care to a group of patients. Match the group to their belief.
a.
Nature controls life and health.
b.
Organ transplantation or donation is not considered.
c.
Observance of the Sabbath is important.
d.
Past sins cause illness.
e.
Nonhuman spirits invading the body cause illness.
1. Hinduism
2. Buddhism
3. Islam
4. Judaism
5. Appalachians
1.ANS:DDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:739
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
2.ANS:EDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:739
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
3.ANS:BDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:739
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
4.ANS:CDIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:739
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
5.ANS:ADIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:739
OBJ:Discuss the influence of spirituality on patients’ health practices.
TOP:CaringMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 37: The Experience of Loss, Death, and
Grief
Chapter 37: The Experience of Loss, Death, and Grief
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse encounters a family who experienced the death of their adult child last year. The parents
are talking about the upcoming anniversary of their child’s death. The nurse spends time with them
discussing their child’s life and death. Which nursing principle does the nurse’s
action best demonstrate?
a.
Facilitation of normal mourning
b.
Pain-management technique
c.
Grief evaluation
d.
Palliative care
ANS: A
Anniversary reactions can reopen grief processes. A nurse should openly acknowledge the loss and
talk about the common renewal of grief feeling around the anniversary of the individual’s death; this
facilitates normal mourning. The nurse is not attempting to alleviate a physical pain. The actions are
of open communication, not evaluation. Palliative care refers to comfort measures for symptom
relief.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:765
OBJ: Identify the nurse’s role when caring for patients who are experiencing loss, grief, or death.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A cancer patient asks the nurse what the criteria are for hospice care. Which information should
the nurse share with the patient?
a.
It is for those needing assistance with pain management.
b.
It is for those having a terminal illness, such as cancer.
c.
It is for those with completion of an advance directive.
d.
It is for those expected to live less than 6 months.
ANS: D
Patients accepted into a hospice program usually have less than 6 months to live. Patients with a
terminal illness are not eligible until that point. Palliative care provides assistance with pain
management when a patient is not eligible for hospice care. An advance directive can be completed
by any person, even those who are healthy.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:761
OBJ: Discuss the criteria for hospice care. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. A terminally ill patient is experiencing constipation secondary to pain medication. Which is
the best method for the nurse to improve the patient’s constipation problem?
a.
Contact the health care provider to discontinue pain medication.
b.
Administer enemas twice daily for 7 days.
c.
Massage the patient’s abdomen.
d.
Use a laxative.
ANS: D
Opioid medication is known to slow peristalsis, which places the patient at high risk for constipation.
Laxatives are indicated for opioid-induced constipation. Massaging the patient’s abdomen may
cause further discomfort. Discontinuing pain medication is inappropriate for a terminally ill patient.
Enema administration twice a day is not the best step in the treatment of opioid-induced
constipation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:763
OBJ: Describe interventions for symptom management in patients at the end of life.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Reduction of Risk Potential
4. A severely depressed patient cannot state any positive attributes to life. The nurse patiently sits
with this patient and assists the patient to identify several activities the patient is actually looking
forward to in life. Which spiritual concept is the nurse trying to promote?
a.
Time management
b.
Reminiscence
c.
Hope
d.
Faith
ANS: C
Hope gives a person the ability to see life as enduring or having meaning or purpose. The nurse’s
actions do not address time management, reminiscence, or faith. Time management is organizing
and prioritizing activities to be completed in a timely manner. Reminiscence is the relationship by
mentally or verbally anecdotally relieving and remembering the person and past experiences. Faith
is belief in a higher power.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:754
OBJ: Develop a nursing care plan for a patient and family experiencing loss and grief.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. In preparation for the eventual death of a female hospice patient of the Muslim faith, the nurse
organizes a meeting of all hospice caregivers. A plan of care to be followed when this patient dies is
prepared. Which information will be included in the plan?
a.
Prepare the body for autopsy.
b.
Prepare the body for cremation.
c.
Allow male Muslims to care for the body after death has occurred.
d.
Allow female Muslims to care for the body after death has occurred.
ANS: D
Muslims of the same gender prepare the body for burial. Muslim faith discourages cremation and
autopsy to preserve the sanctity of the soul of the deceased and promote burial as soon as possible
after death.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:767
OBJ: Develop a nursing care plan for a patient and family experiencing loss and grief.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
6. Family members gather in the emergency department after learning that a family member was
involved in a motor vehicle accident. After learning of the family member’s unexpected death, the
surviving family members begin to cry and scream in despair. Which phase does the nurse
determine the family is in according to the Attachment Theory?
a.
Numbing
b.
Reorganization
c.
Yearning and searching
d.
Disorganization and despair
ANS: C
Yearning and searching characterize the second bereavement phase in the Attachment Theory.
Emotional outbursts of tearful sobbing and acute distress are common in this phase. During the
numbing phase, the family is protected from the full impact of the loss. During disorganization and
despair, the reason why the loss occurred is constantly examined. Reorganization is the last stage of
the Attachment Theory in which the person accepts the change and builds new relationships.
DIF: Apply (application) REF: 753 OBJ: Discuss grief theories.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nursing assistive personnel (NAP) is caring for a dying patient. Which action by the NAP will
cause the nurse to intervene?
a.
Elevating head of bed
b.
Making the patient eat
c.
Giving mouth care every 2 to 4 hours
d.
Keeping skin clean, dry, and moisturized
ANS: B
Patients should never be forced to eat so the nurse will intervene to correct this inappropriate
behavior. Eating in the last days of life often causes the patient pain and discomfort. Equally, as the
body is shutting down the nutrients in food are not able to be absorbed. Therefore, forcing patients to
eat serves no beneficial purpose for the patient. All the rest are correct and do not need the nurse to
intervene. Elevating the head of the bed is appropriate and will promote ease of breathing and lung
expansion and facilitate postural drainage. Giving mouth care will protect membranes if dehydrated,
nauseated, or vomiting. Keeping skin clean, dry, and moisturized will decrease skin discomfort and
prevent skin breakdown.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:763-764
OBJ: Identify ways to collaborate with family members and the interdisciplinary team to provide
palliative care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Management of Care
8. An Orthodox Jewish rabbi has been pronounced dead. The nursing assistive personnel
respectfully ask family members to leave the room and go home as postmortem care is provided.
Which statement from the supervising nurse is best?
a.
“I should have called a male colleague to handle the body.”
b.
“Family members stay with the body until burial the next day.”
c.
“I wish they would go home because we have work to do here.”
d.
“Family will quietly leave after praying and touching the rabbi’s head.”
ANS: B
Jewish culture calls for family members or religious officials to stay with the body until the time of
burial. A male provider is unnecessary. Requesting or expecting the family to go home is not
providing culturally sensitive care. Hindus and Muslims usually have persons of the same gender
handle the body after death. Buddhists often say prayers while touching and standing at the head of
the deceased.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:767
OBJ: Describe care of the body after death. TOP: Caring
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. A palliative team is caring for a dying patient in severe pain. Which action is the priority?
a.
Provide postmortem care for the patient.
b.
Support the patient’s nurse in grieving.
c.
Teach the patient the stages of grief.
d.
Enhance the patient’s quality of life.
ANS: D
The primary goal of palliative care is to help patients and families achieve the best quality of life.
Providing support for the patient’s nurse is not the primary obligation when the patient is
experiencing severe pain. Not all collaborative team members on the palliative team would be able
to provide postmortem care, as is the case for nutritionists, social workers, and pharmacists.
Teaching about stages of grief should not be the focus when severe pain is present.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:760
OBJ: Identify ways to collaborate with family members and the interdisciplinary team to provide
palliative care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. A veteran is hospitalized after surgical amputation of both lower extremities owing to injuries
sustained during military service. Which type of loss will the nurse focus the plan of care on for this
patient?
a.
Perceived loss
b.
Situational loss
c.
Maturational loss
d.
Uncomplicated loss
ANS: B
Loss of a body part from injury is a situational loss. Maturational losses occur as part of normal life
transitions across the life span. A perceived loss is uniquely defined by the person experiencing the
loss and is less obvious to other people. Uncomplicated loss is not a type of loss; it is a description
of normal grief.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:751
OBJ: Describe the types of loss experienced throughout life. TOP: Planning
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
11. “I know it seems strange, but I feel guilty being pregnant after the death of my son last year,”
said a woman during her routine obstetrical examination. The nurse spends extra time with this
woman, helping her realize bonding with this unborn child will not mean she is replacing the one who
died. Which nursing technique does this demonstrate?
a.
Providing curative therapy
b.
Promoting spirituality
c.
Facilitating mourning
d.
Eradicating grief
ANS: C
The nurse facilitates mourning in family members who are still surviving. By acknowledging the
pregnant woman’s emotions, the nurse helps the mother bond with her fetus and recognizes the
emotions that still exist for the deceased child. The nurse is not attempting to help the patient
eradicate grief, which would be unrealistic. Curative therapy (curing a disease) and spiritual
promotion (belief in a higher power or in the meaning of life) are not addressed by the nurse’s
statement.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:765
OBJ: Develop a nursing care plan for a patient and family experiencing loss and grief.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
12. A patient has had two family members die during the past 2 days. Which coping strategy
is most appropriate for the nurse to suggest to the patient?
a.
Writing in a journal
b.
Drinking alcohol to go to sleep
c.
Exercising vigorously rather than sleeping
d.
Avoiding talking with friends and family members
ANS: A
Coping strategies may be healthy and effective like talking, journaling, and sharing emotions with
others. They may also be unhealthy and ineffective like increased use of alcohol, drugs, and
violence. Although exercise is important for self-care, sleep is also important. Shutting oneself away
from friends and family by not talking about the sadness is not effective; the patient should spend
time with people who are nurturing.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:754
OBJ: Identify the nurse’s role when caring for patients who are experiencing loss, grief, or death.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. A female nurse is called into the supervisor’s office regarding her deteriorating work performance
since the loss of her spouse 2 years ago. The woman begins sobbing and says that she is “falling
apart” at home as well. Which type of grief is the female nurse experiencing?
a.
Normal grief
b.
Perceived grief
c.
Complicated grief
d.
Disenfranchised grief
ANS: C
In complicated grief, a person has a prolonged or significantly difficult time moving forward after a
loss. Normal grief is the most common reaction to death; it involves a complex range of normal
coping strategies. Disenfranchised grief involves a relationship that is not socially sanctioned.
Perceived grief is not a type of grief; perceived loss is a loss that is less obvious to other people.
DIF: Understand (comprehension) REF: 752 OBJ: Identify types of grief.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
14. A nurse is caring for a patient in the last stages of dying. Which finding indicates the nurse needs
to prepare the family for death?
a.
Redness of skin
b.
Clear-colored urine
c.
Tense muscles tone
d.
Cheyne-Stokes breathing
ANS: D
Altered breathing such as Cheyne-Stokes pattern, apnea, labored, or irregular breathing is a sign of
impending death. Cyanotic, pallor, or mottling of skin occurs. Urine is decreased and a dark color.
Decreased muscle tone, relaxed jaw muscles, and sagging mouth also occur.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:764
OBJ: Describe interventions for symptom management in patients at the end of life.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
15. The mother of a child who died recently keeps the child’s room intact. Family members are
encouraging her to redecorate and move forward in life. Which type of grief will the home health
nurse recognize the mother is experiencing?
a.
Normal
b.
End-of-life
c.
Abnormal
d.
Complicated
ANS: A
Family members will grieve differently. One sign of normal grief is keeping the deceased individual’s
room intact as a way to keep that person alive in the minds of survivors. This is happening after the
family member is deceased, so it is not end-of-life grief. It is not abnormal or complicated grief; the
child died recently.
DIF: Apply (application) REF: 752 | 757 OBJ: Identify types of grief.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
16. A nurse is caring for a dying patient. One of the nurse’s goals is to promote dignity and validation
of the dying person’s life. Which action will the nurse take to best achieve this goal?
a.
Take pictures of visitors.
b.
Provide quiet visiting time.
c.
Call the organ donation coordinator.
d.
Listen to family stories about the person.
ANS: D
Listening to family members’ stories validates the importance of the dying individual’s life and
reinforces the dignity of the person’s life. Taking pictures of visitors does not address the value of a
person’s life. Calling organ donation and providing private visiting time are components of the dying
process, but they do not validate a dying person’s life.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:762
OBJ: Identify ways to collaborate with family members and the interdisciplinary team to provide
palliative care. TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
17. A nurse is caring for a dying patient. When is the best time for the nurse to discuss end-of-life
care?
a.
During assessment
b.
During planning
c.
During implementation
d.
During evaluation
ANS: A
Because most deaths are now “negotiated” among patients, family members, and the health care
team, discuss end-of-life care preferences early in the assessment phase of the nursing process.
Doing so during the planning, implementation, and evaluation phases is too late.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:756
OBJ: Identify the nurse’s role when caring for patients who are experiencing loss, grief, or death.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
18. A nurse is providing postmortem care. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Leave dentures in the mouth.
b.
Lower the head of the bed.
c.
Cover the body with a sterile sheet.
d.
Remove all tubes for an autopsy.
ANS: A
Leave dentures in the mouth to maintain facial shape. Raise the head of the bed as soon as possible
after death to prevent discoloration of the face. Cover the body with a clean sheet. Autopsy often
does not allow removal of tubes, equipment, and indwelling lines.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:767
OBJ: Describe care of the body after death. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Physiological Adaptation
19. A nurse lets the transplant coordinator make a request for organ and tissue donation from the
patient’s family. What is the primary rationale for the nurse’s action?
a.
The nurse is not as knowledgeable as the coordinator.
b.
The nurse is uncomfortable asking the family.
c.
The nurse does not want to upset the family.
d.
The nurse is following a federal law.
ANS: D
In accordance with federal law, a specially trained professional (e.g., transplant coordinator or social
worker) makes requests for organ and tissue donation at the time of every death. Given the complex
and sensitive nature of such requests, only specially trained personnel make the requests. Although
the nurse may be less knowledgeable than the coordinator, uncomfortable asking the family, or not
wanting to upset the family, the primary rationale is to be in accordance with federal law.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:765
OBJ: Identify the nurse’s role when caring for patients who are experiencing loss, grief, or death.
TOP:EvaluationMSC:Management of Care
20. A patient cancels a scheduled appointment because the patient will be attending a Shivah for a
family member. Which response by the nurse is best?
a.
“When families come together for end-of-life decisions, it provides connections.”
b.
“We will reschedule so the appointment does not fall on the Sabbath.”
c.
“Missionary outreach is so important for spiritual comfort.”
d.
“I’m so sorry for your loss.”
ANS: D
A death has occurred and saying that you are sorry for their loss is appropriate. The Jewish
mourning ritual of Shivah is a time period when normal life activities come to a stop. Those mourning
welcome friends into the home as a way of honoring the dead and receive support during the
mourning period. Cultural variables can influence a person’s response to grief. It is not when families
come together for end-of-life decisions. It is not because the appointment fell on the Sabbath. It is
not about missionary outreach.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:751
OBJ:Discuss variables that influence a person’s response to grief.
TOP: Caring MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
21. During a follow-up visit, a female patient is describing new onset of marital discord with her
terminally ill spouse to the hospice nurse. Which Kübler-Ross stage of dying is the patient
experiencing?
a.
Denial
b.
Anger
c.
Bargaining
d.
Depression
ANS: B
Kübler-Ross’s traditional theory involves five stages of dying. The anger stage of adjustment to an
impending death can involve resistance, anger at God, anger at people, and anger at the situation.
Denial would involve failure to accept a death. Bargaining is an action to delay acceptance of death
by bartering. Depression would present as withdrawal from others.
DIF: Apply (application) REF: 753 OBJ: Discuss grief theories.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
22. A previously toilet trained toddler has started wetting again. A nurse is gathering a health history
from the grandparent. Which health history finding will the nurse most likely consider as the cause of
the wetting?
a.
Dietary changes
b.
Recent parental death
c.
Playmate moved away
d.
Sibling was sick 2 days
ANS: B
A child’s stage of development and chronological age will influence grieving. Toddlers can show grief
from a loss of parent(s) through changes in their eating patterns, changes in their sleeping patterns,
fussiness, and changes in their bowel and bladder habits. It is common for younger children to
regress when under increased stress. Siblings being sick, dietary changes, and playmates moving
away are unlikely to cause wetting.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:753
OBJ:Discuss variables that influence a person’s response to grief.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
23. A patient’s father died a week ago. Both the patient and the patient’s spouse talk about the
death. The patient’s spouse is experiencing headaches and fatigue. The patient is having trouble
sleeping, has no appetite, and gets choked up most of the time. How should the nurse interpret
these findings as the basis for a follow-up assessment?
a.
The patient is dying and the spouse is angry.
b.
The patient is ill and the spouse is malingering.
c.
Both the patient and the spouse are likely in denial.
d.
Both the patient and the spouse are likely grieving.
ANS: D
Both are likely grieving from the loss of the patient’s father. Symptoms of normal grief include
headache, fatigue, insomnia, appetite disturbance, and choking sensation. Different people manifest
different symptoms. There is no data to support the spouse is angry or malingering. There is no data
to support the patient is dying or ill. Denial is assessed when the person cannot accept the loss; both
talked about the loss.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:757
OBJ: Describe characteristics of a person experiencing grief. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is documenting end-of-life care. Which information will the nurse include in the patient’s
electronic medical record? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Reason for the death
b.
Time and date of death
c.
How ethically the family grieved
d.
Location of body identification tags
e.
Time of body transfer and destination
ANS: B, D, E
Documentation of end-of-life care includes the following: time and date of death, location of body
identification tags, time of body transfer and destination and personal articles left on and secured to
the body. Reason for the death is not appropriate; this is a medical judgment and not a nursing
judgment. How ethically the family grieved is judgmental and does not belong in the chart. We must
remain open to the varying views and beliefs of grieving that are in contrast to our own in order to
best support and care for our patients and their families.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:766
OBJ: Identify the nurse’s role when caring for patients who are experiencing loss, grief, or death.
TOP:ImplementationMSC:Management of Care
Chapter 38: Stress and Coping
Chapter 38: Stress and Coping
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. In a natural disaster relief facility, the nurse observes that an older-adult male has a recovery plan,
while a 25-year-old male is still overwhelmed by the disaster situation. A nurse is planning care for
both patients. Which factors will the nurse consider about the different coping reactions?
a.
Restorative care factors
b.
Strong financial resource factors
c.
Maturational and situational factors
d.
Immaturity and intelligence factors
ANS: C
Maturational factors and situational factors can affect people differently depending on their life
experiences. An older individual would have more life experiences to draw from and to analyze on
why he was successful, whereas a younger individual would have fewer life experiences based on
chronological age to analyze for patterns of previous success. Nothing in the scenario implies that
either man is in restorative care, has strong financial resources, or is immature or intelligent.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:775
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
2. A woman who was sexually assaulted a month ago presents to the emergency department with
reports of recurrent nightmares, fear of going to sleep, repeated vivid memories of the sexual
assault, and inability to feel much emotion. Which medical problem will the nurse expect to see
documented in the chart?
a.
General adaptation syndrome
b.
Post-traumatic stress disorder
c.
Acute stress disorder
d.
Alarm reaction
ANS: B
Post-traumatic stress disorder is characterized by vivid recollections of the traumatic event and
emotional detachment and often is accompanied by nightmares. General adaptation syndrome is the
expected reaction to a major stressor. Acute stress disorder is a similar diagnosis that differs from
PTSD in duration of symptoms. Alarm reaction involves physiological events such as increased
activation of the sympathetic nervous system that would have occurred at the time of the sexual
assault.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:774
OBJ:Describe characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
3. The nurse teaches stress-reduction and relaxation training to a health education group of patients
after cardiac bypass surgery. Which level of intervention is the nurse using?
a.
Primary
b.
Secondary
c.
Tertiary
d.
Quad
ANS: C
Tertiary-level interventions assist the patient in readapting and can include relaxation training and
time-management training. At the primary level of prevention, you direct nursing activities to
identifying individuals and populations who are possibly at risk for stress. Nursing interventions at
the secondary level include actions directed at symptoms such as protecting the patient from selfharm. Quad level does not exist.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:778
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
4. A nurse is teaching guided imagery to a prenatal class. Which technique did the nurse describe?
a.
Singing
b.
Massaging back
c.
Listening to music
d.
Using sensory peaceful words
ANS: D
Guided imagery is used as a means to create a relaxed state through the person’s imagination, often
using sensory words. Imagination allows the person to create a soothing and peaceful environment.
Singing, back massage, and listening to music are other types of stress management techniques.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:781
OBJ: Describe stress management techniques beneficial for coping with stress.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
5. After a natural disaster occurred, an emergency worker referred a family for crisis intervention
services. One family member refused to attend the services, stating, “No way, I’m not crazy.” What is
the nurse’s best response?
a. “Many times disasters can create mental health problems, so you really should participate with your family.”
b. “Seeking this kind of help does not mean that you have a mental illness; it is a short-term problem-solving technique.”
c. “Don’t worry now. The psychiatrists are well trained to help.”
d. “This will help your family communicate better.”
ANS: B
Crisis intervention is a type of brief therapy that is more directive than traditional psychotherapy or
counseling. It focuses on problem solving and involves only the problem created by the crisis. The
other options do not properly reassure the patient and build trust. Giving advice in the form of “you
really should participate” is inappropriate. “Don’t worry now” is false reassurance. While crisis
intervention may help families communicate better, the goal is to return to precrisis level of
functioning; family therapy will focus on helping families communicate better.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:782
OBJ:Discuss the process of crisis intervention.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
6. A preadolescent patient is experiencing maturational stress. Which area will the nurse focus on
when planning care?
a.
Identity issues
b.
Self-esteem issues
c.
Physical appearance
d.
Major changing life events
ANS: B
Preadolescents experience stress related to self-esteem issues, changing family structure as a
result of divorce or death of a parent, or hospitalizations. Adolescent stressors include identity issues
with peer groups and separation from their families. Children identify stressors related to physical
appearance, families, friends, and school. Adult stressors centralize around major changes in life
circumstances.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:775
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with stress and is in the evaluation stage of the critical thinking
model. Which actions will the nurse take?
a.
Select nursing interventions and promote patient’s adaptation to stress.
b.
Establish short- and long-term goals with the patient experiencing stress.
c.
Identify stress management interventions and achieve expected outcomes.
d.
Reassess patient’s stress-related symptoms and compare with expected outcomes.
ANS: D
During the evaluation stage, the nurse compares current stress-related symptoms against
established measurable outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Selecting
appropriate interventions and establishing goals are part of the planning process.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:783-784
OBJ:Develop a care plan for patients who are experiencing stress.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
8. An adult male reports new-onset, seizure-like activity. An EEG and a neurology consultant’s report
rule out a seizure disorder. It is determined the patient is using conversion. Which action should the
nurse take next?
a.
Suggest acupuncture.
b.
Confront the patient on malingering.
c.
Obtain history of any recent life stressors.
d.
Recommend a regular exercise program.
ANS: C
Unconsciously repressing an anxiety-producing emotional conflict and transforming it into
nonorganic symptoms (e.g., difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite) describes conversion. The nurse
must assess the patient fully for emotional conflict and stress before implementing any nursing
interventions (acupuncture or exercise program). Although the patient may be malingering,
confrontation is nontherapeutic because the patient is using this type of defense mechanism in
response to some type of stressor.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:774 | 776
OBJ:Develop a care plan for patients who are experiencing stress.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
9. A senior college student visits the college health clinic about a freshman student living on the
same dormitory floor. The senior student reports that the freshman is crying and is not adjusting to
college life. The clinic nurse recognizes this as a combination of situational and maturational stress
factors. Which is the best response by the nurse?
a.
“Let’s call 911 because this freshman student is suicidal.”
b.
“Give the freshman student this list of university and community resources.”
c.
“I recommend that you help the freshman student start packing bags to go home.”
d.
“You must make an appointment for the freshman student to obtain medications.”
ANS: B
A nurse can help reduce situational stress factors for individuals. Inform the patient about potential
resources. Providing the student with a list of resources is one way to begin this process, as part of
secondary prevention strategies. This is not a medical or psychiatric emergency, so calling 911 is
not necessary. Not everyone who has sadness needs medications; some need counseling only. Not
enough information is given to know whether the student would be best suited to leave college.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:774 | 778 | 783
OBJ:Develop a care plan for patients who are experiencing stress.
TOP: Communication and Documentation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
10. Despite working in a highly stressful nursing unit and accepting additional shifts, a new nurse
has a strategy to prevent burnout. Which strategy will be best for the nurse to use?
a.
Delegate complex nursing tasks to nursing assistive personnel.
b.
Strengthen friendships outside the workplace.
c.
Write for 10 minutes in a journal every day.
d.
Use progressive muscle relaxation.
ANS: B
Strengthening friendships outside of the workplace, arranging for temporary social isolation for
personal “recharging” of emotional energy, and spending off-duty hours in interesting activities all
help reduce burnout. Journaling and muscle relaxation are good stress-relieving techniques but are
not directed at the cause of the workplace stress. Delegating complex nursing tasks to nursing
assistive personnel is an inappropriate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:781-782
OBJ: Discuss how stress in the workplace affects nurses. TOP: Implementation
MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
11. A female teen with celiac disease continues to eat food she knows will make her ill several hours
after ingestion. While planning care, the nurse considers maturational and tertiary-level
interventions. Which intervention will the nurse add to the care plan?
a.
Teach the teen about the food pyramid.
b.
Administer antidiarrheal medications with meals.
c.
Gently admonish the teen and her parents regarding the consistently poor diet choices.
d.
Assist the teen in meeting dietary restrictions while eating foods similar to those eaten by her friends.
ANS: D
Tertiary-level interventions assist the patient in readapting to life with an illness. By adjusting the diet
to meet dietary guidelines and also addressing adolescent maturational needs, the nurse will help
the teen to eat an appropriate diet without health complications and see herself as a “typical and
normal” teenager. Teaching about the food pyramid will not address the real issue, which is that the
teen is still eating what she knows will make her ill and the food pyramid is usually a primary
intervention. Administering antidiarrheal medications may help but is not a tertiary-level or
maturational intervention. Admonishing the teen and parents is not a tertiary-level intervention, and
because this approach is nontherapeutic, it may cause communication problems.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:775 | 778
OBJ:Develop a care plan for patients who are experiencing stress.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
12. A trauma survivor is requesting sleep medication because of “bad dreams.” The nurse is
concerned that the patient may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Which
question is a priority for the nurse to ask the patient?
a.
“Are you reliving your trauma?”
b.
“Are you having chest pain?”
c.
“Can you describe your phobias?”
d.
“Can you tell me when you wake up?”
ANS: A
People who have PTSD often have flashbacks, recurrent and intrusive recollections of the event.
The other answers involve assessment of problems not specific to PTSD.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:774
OBJ:Describe characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
13. A patient in a motor vehicle accident states, “I did not run the red light,” despite very clear
evidence on the street surveillance tape. Which defense mechanism is the patient using?
a.
Denial
b.
Conversion
c.
Dissociation
d.
Compensation
ANS: A
Denial consists of avoiding emotional conflicts by refusing to consciously acknowledge anything that
causes intolerable emotional pain. Dissociation involves creating subjective numbness and less
awareness of surroundings. Conversion involves repressing anxiety and manifesting it into
nonorganic symptoms. Compensation occurs when an individual makes up for a deficit by strongly
emphasizing another feature.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:774
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Evaluation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
14. A nurse is teaching the staff about the general adaptation syndrome. In which order will the
nurse list the stages, beginning with the first stage?
1. Resistance
2. Exhaustion
3. Alarm
a.
3, 1, 2
b.
3, 2, 1
c.
1, 3, 2
d.
1, 2, 3
ANS: A
The general adaptation syndrome (GAS), a three-stage reaction to stress, describes how the body
responds physiologically to stressors through stages of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:772
OBJ:Describe the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
15. A young male patient is diagnosed with testicular cancer. Which action will the nurse take first?
a.
Provide information to the patient.
b.
Allow time for the patient’s friends.
c.
Ask about the patient’s priority needs.
d.
Find support for the family and patient.
ANS: C
Take time to understand a patient’s meaning of the precipitating event and the ways in which stress
is affecting his life. For example, in the case of a woman who has just been told that a breast mass
was identified on a routine mammogram, it is important to know what the patient wants (priority
needs) and needs most from the nurse. Providing information, allowing time with friends, and finding
support may be implemented after finding out what the patient wants or needs.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:776
OBJ:Develop a care plan for patients who are experiencing stress.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
16. A nurse is teaching the staff about a nursing theory that views a person, family, or community
developing a normal line of defense. Which theory is the nurse describing?
a.
Ego defense model
b.
Immunity model
c.
Neuman Systems Model
d.
Pender’s Health Promotion Model
ANS: C
The Neuman Systems Model uses a systems approach, and it helps you understand your patients’
individual responses to stressors and also families’ and communities’ responses. Every person
develops a set of responses to stress that constitute the “normal line of defense.” This line of
defense helps to maintain health and wellness. Ego defense mechanisms are unconscious coping
mechanisms. Immunity is a body’s natural protection mechanism. Pender’s Health Promotion Model
focuses on promoting health and managing stress.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:774
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
17. An adult who was in a motor vehicle accident is brought into the emergency department by
paramedics, who report the following in-transit vital signs:
Oral temperature: 99.0° F
Pulse: 102 beats/min
Respiratory rate: 26 breaths/min
Blood pressure: 140/106
Which hormones should the nurse consider as the most likely causes of the abnormal vital signs?
a.
ADH and ACTH
b.
ACTH and epinephrine
c.
ADH and norepinephrine
d.
Epinephrine and norepinephrine
ANS: D
During the alarm stage, rising hormone levels result in increased blood volume, blood glucose
levels, epinephrine and norepinephrine amounts, heart rate, blood flow to muscles, oxygen intake,
and mental alertness. ACTH originates from the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates cortisol
release; ADH originates from the posterior pituitary and increases renal reabsorption of water.
ACTH, cortisol, and ADH do not increase heart rate.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:772
OBJ:Describe the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
18. A nurse is planning care for a patient that uses displacement. Which information should the
nurse consider when planning interventions?
a.
This copes with stress directly.
b.
This evaluates an event for its personal meaning.
c.
This protects against feelings of worthlessness and anxiety.
d.
This triggers the stress control functions of the medulla oblongata.
ANS: C
Ego-defense mechanisms, like displacement, regulate emotional distress and thus give a person
protection from anxiety and stress. Everyone uses them unconsciously to protect against
worthlessness and feelings of anxiety. Ego-defense mechanisms help a person cope with stress
indirectly and offer psychological protection from a stressful event. Evaluation of an event for its
personal meaning is primary appraisal. The medulla oblongata controls heart rate, blood pressure,
and respirations and is not triggered by ego defense mechanisms.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:774
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Planning MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
19. Which sociocultural finding in the history of a patient will alert the nurse to a possible
developmental problem?
a.
Family relocation
b.
Childhood obesity
c.
Prolonged poverty
d.
Loss of stamina
ANS: C
Environmental and social stressors often lead to developmental problems. Sociocultural refers to
societal or cultural factors; poverty is a sociocultural factor. Stamina loss and obesity are health
problems, and family relocation is a situational factor.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:775
OBJ:Discuss the integration of stress theory with nursing theories.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
20. A nurse is helping parents who have a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Which
strategy will the nurse share with the parents to reduce stress regarding homework assignments?
a.
Time-management skills
b.
Speech articulation skills
c.
Routine preventative health visits
d.
Assertiveness training for the family
ANS: A
Time-management skills are most related to homework assignment completion. Time-management
techniques include developing lists of prioritized tasks. Routine health visits are important but do not
directly affect ability to complete homework. Speech and other developmental aspects need to be
developed if the child is to be successful, but skill development will not directly reduce homeworkrelated stress. Assertiveness includes skills for helping individuals communicate effectively regarding
their needs and desires, but it does not help with homework assignments.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:781
OBJ: Describe stress management techniques beneficial for coping with stress.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with prolonged stress. Which conditions will the nurse monitor for in
this patient? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Cancer
b.
Diabetes
c.
Infections
d.
Allostasis
e.
Low blood pressure
ANS: A, B, C
Stress causes prolonged changes in the immune system, which can result in impaired immune
function, and this increases the person’s susceptibility to changes in health, such as increased risk
for infection, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancers. Allostasis is a return to a state of balance;
allostatic load occurs with prolonged stress.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:772
OBJ:Develop a care plan for patients who are experiencing stress.
TOP: Assessment MSC: Psychosocial Integrity
Chapter 39: Activity and Exercise
Chapter 39: Activity and Exercise
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse observes a patient rising from a chair slowly by pushing on the chair arms. Which type of
tension and contraction did the nurse observe?
a.
Eccentric tension and isotonic contraction
b.
Eccentric tension and isometric contraction
c.
Concentric tension and isotonic contraction
d.
Concentric tension and isometric contraction
ANS: A
This movement causes eccentric tension and isotonic contraction. Eccentric tension helps control
the speed and direction of movement. For example, when using an overhead trapeze, the patient
slowly lowers himself to the bed. The lowering is controlled when the antagonistic muscles lengthen.
By pushing on the chair arms and rising eccentric tension and isotonic contraction occurred. In
concentric tension, increased muscle contraction causes muscle shortening, resulting in movement
such as when a patient uses an overhead trapeze to pull up in bed. Concentric and eccentric muscle
actions are necessary for active movement and therefore are referred to as dynamic or isotonic
contraction. Isometric contraction (static contraction) causes an increase in muscle tension or
muscle work but no shortening or active movement of the muscle (e.g., instructing the patient to
tighten and relax a muscle group, as in quadriceps set exercises or pelvic floor exercises).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:790
OBJ: Describe the role of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the regulation of activity and
exercise. TOP: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. A nurse notices that a patient has a structural curvature of the spine associated with vertebral
rotation. Which condition will the nurse most likely find documented in the patient’s medical record?
a.
Scoliosis
b.
Arthritis
c.
Osteomalacia
d.
Osteogenesis
ANS: A
Scoliosis is a structural curvature of the spine associated with vertebral rotation. Osteogenesis
imperfecta is an inherited disorder that makes bones porous, short, bowed, and deformed.
Osteomalacia is an uncommon metabolic disease characterized by inadequate and delayed
mineralization, resulting in compact and spongy bone. Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease
characterized by inflammation or destruction of the synovial membrane and articular cartilage and by
systemic signs of inflammation.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:791
OBJ: Describe the role of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the regulation of activity and
exercise. TOP: Assessment MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse is caring for a patient who has some immobility from noninflammatory joint degeneration.
The nurse is teaching the patient about this process. Which information will the nurse include in the
teaching session?
a.
This will affect synovial fluid.
b.
This will affect the body systemically.
c.
This involves mostly non–weight-bearing joints.
d.
This involves overgrowth of bone at the articular ends.
ANS: D
Joint degeneration, which can occur with inflammatory and noninflammatory disease, is marked by
changes in articular cartilage combined with overgrowth of bone at the articular ends. Degenerative
changes commonly affect weight-bearing joints. Synovial fluid is normal in noninflammatory
diseases. Inflammatory joint disease (e.g., arthritis) is characterized by inflammation or destruction
of the synovial membrane and articular cartilage and by systemic signs of inflammation.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:791
OBJ: Discuss the influence of immobility on body alignment, joint movement, and activity.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Physiological Adaptation
4. The nurse is providing care to a patient who is bedridden. The nurse raises the height of the bed.
What is the rationale for the nurse’s action?
a.
Narrows the nurse’s base of support.
b.
Allows the nurse to bring feet closer together.
c.
Prevents a shift in the nurse’s base of support.
d.
Shifts the nurse’s center of gravity farther away from the base of support.
ANS: C
Raising the height of the bed when performing a procedure prevents bending too far at the waist and
shifting the base of support. Balance is maintained by proper body alignment and posture through
two simple techniques. First, widen the base of support by separating the feet to a comfortable
distance. Second, increase balance by bringing the center of gravity closer to the base of support.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:788
OBJ:Describe how to maintain and use proper body mechanics.
TOP: Planning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
5. A nurse is following the no-lift policy when working to prevent personal injury. Which type of
personal back injury is the nurse most likely trying to prevent?
a.
Thoracic
b.
Cervical
c.
Lumbar
d.
Sacral
ANS: C
The most common back injury for nurses is strain on the lumbar muscle group, which includes the
muscles around the lumbar vertebrae. While cervical, thoracic, and sacral can occur, lumbar is the
most common.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:803
OBJ:Describe how to maintain and use proper body mechanics.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. The nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department with an injured shoulder. Which
type of joint will the nurse assess?
a.
Fibrous
b.
Synovial
c.
Synergistic
d.
Cartilaginous
ANS: B
Synovial joints, or true joints, such as the hinge type at the elbow, are freely movable and the most
mobile, numerous, and anatomically complex body joints. Fibrous joints fit closely together and are
fixed, permitting little, if any, movement such as the syndesmosis between the tibia and the fibula.
Synergistic is a type of muscle, not joint. Cartilaginous joints have little movement but are elastic and
use cartilage to unite separate bony surfaces such as the synchondrosis that attaches the ribs to the
costal cartilage.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:789
OBJ: Describe the role of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the regulation of activity and
exercise. TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
7. The nurse is caring for a patient with inner ear problems. Which goal is the priority?
a.
Maintain balance.
b.
Maintain proprioception.
c.
Maintain muscle strength.
d.
Maintain body alignment.
ANS: A
Within the inner ear are the semicircular canals, three fluid-filled structures that help maintain
balance. Proprioception is the awareness of the position of the body and its parts, and
proprioceptors are located on nerve endings, not the inner ear. Muscle strength is maintained with
activity and exercise. Although body alignment is important, it is not maintained by the inner ear.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:791
OBJ: Describe the role of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the regulation of activity and
exercise. TOP: Planning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
8. A nurse is teaching a health promotion class about isotonic exercises. Which types of exercises
will the nurse give as examples?
a.
Swimming, jogging, and bicycling
b.
Tightening or tensing of muscles without moving body parts
c.
Quadriceps set exercises and contraction of the gluteal muscles
d.
Push-ups, hip lifting, pushing feet against a footboard on the bed
ANS: A
Examples of isotonic exercises are walking, swimming, dance aerobics, jogging, bicycling, and
moving arms and legs with light resistance. Isometric exercises involve tightening or tensing of
muscles without moving body parts. Examples include quadriceps set exercises and contraction of
the gluteal muscles. Examples of resistive isometric exercises are push-ups and hip lifting, as well
as placing a footboard on the foot of the bed for patients to push against with their feet.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:788
OBJ: Describe the evidence that supports regular activity and exercise in patient care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
9. An adolescent tells the nurse that a health professional said the fibrous tissue that connects bone
and cartilage was strained in a sporting accident. On which structure will the nurse focus an
assessment?
a.
Tendon
b.
Ligament
c.
Synergistic muscle
d.
Antagonistic muscle
ANS: B
Ligaments are white, shiny, and flexible bands of fibrous tissue that bind joints and connect bones
and cartilage. Tendons are strong, flexible, and inelastic as they serve to connect muscle to bone.
Muscles attach bone to bone. Synergistic muscles contract to accomplish the same movement.
Antagonistic muscles cause movement at the joint.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:789
OBJ: Describe the role of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the regulation of activity and
exercise. TOP: Assessment MSC: Physiological Adaptation
10. A nurse is developing an exercise plan for a middle-aged patient. In which order will the nurse
instruct the patient to execute the plan, beginning with the first step?
1. Design the fitness program.
2. Assemble equipment.
3. Assess fitness level.
4. Monitor progress.
5. Get started.
a.
5, 1, 3, 2, 4
b.
1, 2, 3, 5, 4
c.
2, 5, 3, 1, 4
d.
3, 1, 2, 5, 4
ANS: D
Five steps to beginning an exercise program are Step 1: Assess fitness level; Step 2: Design the
fitness program; Step 3: Assemble equipment; Step 4: Get started; and Step 5: Monitor progress.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:795
OBJ: Describe important factors to consider when planning an exercise program for patients across
the life span and for those with specific chronic illnesses. TOP: Teaching/Learning
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
11. The nurse gives instructions to a nursing assistive personnel (NAP) regarding exercise for a
patient. Which action by the NAP indicates a correct understanding of the directions?
a.
Determines the patient’s ability to exercise
b.
Teaches the patient how to do the exercises
c.
Reports the patient got dizzy after exercising
d.
Advises the patient to work through the pain
ANS: C
The NAP notifies the nurse if a patient reports increased fatigue, dizziness, or light-headedness
when obtaining preexercise and/or postexercise vital signs. The nurse first must assess the patient’s
ability and tolerance to exercise. The nurse also teaches patients and their families how to
implement exercise programs. The NAP can prepare patients for exercise (e.g., putting on shoes
and clothing, providing hygiene needs, and obtaining preexercise and postexercise vital signs). The
NAP can help the patient exercise.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:802
OBJ: Develop an individualized nursing care plan for a patient with activity tolerance.
TOP:Teaching/LearningMSC:Management of Care
12. The nurse is starting an exercise program in a local community as a health promotion project.
Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session?
a.
A cool-down period lasts about 5 to 10 minutes.
b.
The purpose of weight training is to bulk up muscles.
c.
Resistance training is appropriate for warm-up and cool-down periods.
d.
Aerobic exercise should be done 3 to 5 times per week for about 20 minutes.
ANS: A
The cool-down period follows the exercise routine and usually lasts about 5 to 10 minutes. The
purposes of weight training from a health perspective are to develop tone and strength and to
simulate and maintain healthy bone. Stretching and flexibility exercises are ideal for warm-up and
cool-down periods. The recommended frequency of aerobic exercise is 3 to 5 times per week or
every other day for approximately 30 minutes.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:802
OBJ: Describe the evidence that supports regular activity and exercise in patient care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
13. The patient is eager to begin an exercise program with a 2-mile jog. The nurse instructs the
patient to warm up. The patient does not want to waste time with a “warm-up.” Which information will
the nurse share with the patient?
a.
The warm-up in this case can be done after the 2-mile jog.
b.
The warm-up prepares the body and decreases the potential for injury.
c.
The warm-up allows the body to readjust gradually to baseline functioning.
d.
The warm-up should be performed with high intensity to prepare for the coming challenge.
ANS: B
The warm-up activity prepares the body for activity and decreases the potential for injury and should
not be omitted. It usually lasts about 5 to 10 minutes and may include stretching, calisthenics, and/or
aerobic activity performed at a lower intensity. The warm-up is before the exercise, while the cooldown period is after the exercise. The cool-down, not the warm-up, allows the body to readjust
gradually to baseline functioning and provides an opportunity to combine movement such as
stretching with relaxation-enhancing mind-body awareness. The warm-up should not be a highintensity workout.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:802
OBJ: Describe the evidence that supports regular activity and exercise in patient care.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
14. The nurse is caring for a patient who cannot bear weight but needs to be transferred from the
bed to a chair. The nurse decides to use a transportable hydraulic lift. What will the nurse do?
a.
Place a horseshoe-shaped base on the opposite side from the chair.
b.
Remove straps before lowering the patient to the chair.
c.
Hook longer straps to the bottom of the sling.
d.
Attach short straps to the bottom of the sling.
ANS: C
The nurse should attach the hooks on the strap to the holes in the sling. Short straps hook to top
holes of the sling; longer straps hook to the bottom of the sling. The horseshoe-shaped base goes
under the side of the bed on the side with the chair. Position the patient and lower slowly into the
chair in accordance with manufacturer guidelines to safely guide the patient into the back of the chair
as the seat descends; then remove the straps and the mechanical/hydraulic lift.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:815
OBJ: Describe equipment needed for safe patient handling and movement.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
15. The nurse is preparing to move a patient to a wheelchair. Which action indicates the nurse is
following recommendations for safe patient handling?
a.
Mentally reviews the transfer steps before beginning
b.
Uses own strength to transfer the patient
c.
Focuses solely on body mechanics
d.
Bases decisions on intuition
ANS: A
Safe patient handling includes mentally reviewing the transfer steps before beginning the procedure
to ensure both the patient’s and your safety. Use the patient’s strength when lifting, transferring, or
moving when possible. Body mechanics alone do not protect the nurse from injury to the
musculoskeletal system when moving, lifting, or transferring patients. After completing the
assessment, nurses use an algorithm to guide decisions about safe patient handling.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:810
OBJ: Discuss the impact of national patient safety resources, initiatives, and regulations in relation to
patient handling and movement. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
16. A nurse is working in a facility that follows a comprehensive safe patient-handling program.
Which finding will alert the nurse to intervene?
a.
Mechanical lifts are in a locked closet.
b.
Algorithms for patient handling are available.
c.
Ergonomic assessment protocols are being followed.
d.
A no-lift policy is in place with adherence by all staff.
ANS: A
The nurse will follow up when lifts are not kept in convenient locations. Comprehensive safe patienthandling programs include the following elements: an ergonomics assessment protocol for health
care environments, patient assessment criteria, algorithms for patient handling and movement,
special equipment kept in convenient locations to help transfer patients, back injury resource nurses,
an “after-action review” that allows the health care team to apply knowledge about moving patients
safely in different settings, and a no-lift policy.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:792
OBJ:Discuss the impact of national patient safety resources, initiatives, and regulations in relation to
patient handling and movement.TOP:Implementation
MSC:Management of Care
17. The patient is brought to the emergency department with possible injury to the left shoulder.
Which area will the nurse assess to best determine joint mobility?
a.
The patient’s gait
b.
The patient’s range of motion
c.
The patient’s ethnic influences
d.
The patient’s fine-motor coordination
ANS: B
Assessing range of motion is one assessment technique used to determine the degree of joint
mobility and injury to a joint. Gait is the manner or style of walking. It has little bearing on the
shoulder damage. Assessing fine-motor coordination would be beneficial in helping to assess the
patient’s ability to perform tasks such as feeding and dressing but would not help in evaluating the
shoulder. Ethnic influences would not have a direct bearing on the amount of mobility in the joint.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:803 | 811
OBJ: Describe how to assess patients for activity intolerance. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
18. The nurse is evaluating care of a patient for crutches. Which finding indicates a successful
outcome?
a.
The top of the crutch is three to four finger widths from the armpit.
b.
The elbows are slightly flexed at 30 to 35 degrees when the patient is standing.
c.
The tip of the crutch is 4 to 6 inches anterior to the front of the patient’s shoes.
d.
The position of the handgrips allows the axilla to support the patient’s body weight.
ANS: C
When crutches are fitted, the tip of the crutch is 4 to 6 inches anterior to the front of the patient’s
shoes, and the length of the crutch is two to three finger widths from the axilla. Position the
handgrips so the axillae are not supporting the patient’s body weight. Pressure on the axillae
increases risk to underlying nerves, which sometimes results in partial paralysis of the arm.
Determine correct position of the handgrips with the patient upright, supporting weight by the
handgrips with the elbows slightly flexed at 20 to 25 degrees.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:806
OBJ: Evaluate the nursing care plan for maintaining activity and exercise for patients across the life
span and with specific chronic illnesses. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
19. The patient reports being tired and weak and lacks energy. Upon assessment, the nurse finds
that patient has gained weight, and blood pressure and pulse are elevated after climbing stairs.
Which nursing diagnosis will the nurse add to the care plan?
a.
Fatigue
b.
Ineffective coping
c.
Activity intolerance
d.
Decreased cardiac output
ANS: C
You consider nursing diagnoses of Activity intolerance or Fatigue in a patient who reports being tired
and weak. Further review of assessed defining characteristics (e.g., abnormal heart rate and verbal
report of weakness and the assessment findings occurring during the activity of climbing the stairs)
leads to the definitive diagnosis (Activity intolerance). There is no data to support ineffective coping
or decreased cardiac output.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:798-799 | 800-801
OBJ: Formulate nursing diagnoses for patients experiencing problems with activity intolerance.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
20. The patient weighs 450 lbs (204.5 kg) and reports shortness of breath with any exertion. The
health care provider has recommended beginning an exercise program. The patient states that she
can hardly get out of bed and just cannot do anything around the house. Which nursing diagnosis
will the nurse add to the care plan?
a.
Activity intolerance related to excessive weight
b.
Impaired physical mobility related to bed rest
c.
Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
d.
Impaired gas exchange related to shortness of breath
ANS: A
In this case, activity intolerance is related to the patient’s excessive weight. The patient is not on bed
rest although claims that it is difficult to get out of bed, making this diagnosis inappropriate.
Shortness of breath is a symptom, not a cause, of Impaired gas exchange, making this nursing
diagnosis ineffective. The patient certainly has an imbalance of nutrition, but it is more than body
requirements (obesity).
DIF:Apply (application)REF:798-799 | 800-801
OBJ: Formulate nursing diagnoses for patients experiencing problems with activity intolerance.
TOP:DiagnosisMSC:Management of Care
21. A patient with diabetes mellitus is starting an exercise program. Which types of exercises will the
nurse suggest?
a.
Low intensity
b.
Low to moderate intensity
c.
Moderate to high intensity
d.
High intensity
ANS: B
Instruct patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus to perform low- to moderate-intensity exercises,
carry a concentrated form of carbohydrates (sugar packets or hard candy), and wear a medical alert
bracelet. Low intensity is not beneficial. Moderate to high and high intensity are not recommended
for a beginner exercise program.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:809
OBJ: Develop an individualized nursing care plan for a patient with activity intolerance.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
22. A patient is admitted with a stroke. The outcome of this disorder is uncertain, but the patient is
unable to move the right arm and leg. The nurse starts passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises.
Which finding indicates successful goal achievement?
a.
Heart rate decreased.
b.
Contractures developed.
c.
Muscle strength improved.
d.
Joint mobility maintained.
ANS: D
When patients cannot participate in active ROM, maintain joint mobility and prevent contractures by
implementing passive ROM into the plan of care. Exercise and active ROM can improve muscle
strength. ROM is not performed for the heart but for the joints.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:803
OBJ: Evaluate the nursing care plan for maintaining activity and exercise for patients across the life
span and with specific chronic illnesses. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
23. A nurse is assessing a patient with activity intolerance for possible orthostatic hypotension.
Which finding will help confirm orthostatic hypotension?
a.
Blood pressure sitting 120/64; blood pressure 140/70 standing
b.
Blood pressure sitting 126/64; blood pressure 120/58 standing
c.
Blood pressure sitting 130/60; blood pressure 110/60 standing
d.
Blood pressure sitting 140/60; blood pressure 130/54 standing
ANS: C
Orthostatic hypotension results in a drop of 20 mm Hg systolic or more in blood pressure when rising
from sitting position (110/60). 120 to 140 means the blood pressure increased rather than dropped.
126 to 120 is only a six points’ difference. 140 to 130 is only a 10 points’ difference.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:811
OBJ: Describe how to assess patients for activity intolerance. TOP: Assessment
MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
24. The nurse is teaching a patient how to use a cane. Which information will the nurse include in
the teaching session?
a.
Place the cane at the top of the hip bone.
b.
Place the cane on the stronger side of the body.
c.
Place the cane in front of the body and then move the good leg.
d.
Place the cane 10 to 15 inches in front of the body when walking.
ANS: B
Have the patient keep the cane on the stronger side of the body. A person’s cane length is equal to
the distance between the greater trochanter and the floor. The cane should be moved first and then
the weaker leg. For maximum support when walking, the patient places the cane forward 15 to 25
cm (6 to 10 inches), keeping body weight on both legs. The weaker leg is then moved forward to the
cane, so body weight is divided between the cane and the stronger leg.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:806
OBJ: Describe equipment needed for safe patient handling and movement.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
25. A nurse is assisting the patient to perform isometric exercises. Which action will the nurse take?
a.
Encourage wearing tight shoes.
b.
Set the pace for the exercise session.
c.
Stop the exercise if pain is experienced.
d.
Force muscles or joints to go just beyond resistance.
ANS: C
Instruct the patient to stop the activity if pain, fatigue, or discomfort is experienced. Assess for pain,
shortness of breath, or a change in vital signs; if present, stop the exercise. Let each patient move at
his or her own pace. Assess for joint limitations, and do not force a muscle or a joint during exercise.
Teach patient to wear comfortable shoes and clothing for exercise.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:803
OBJ: Describe the evidence that supports regular activity and exercise in patient care.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
26. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient diagnosed with activity intolerance. Which
strategy will the nurse use to provide the best chance of maintaining patient compliance?
a.
Performing 20 minutes of aerobic exercise 7 days a week with 10-minute warm-up and cool-down periods
b.
Instructing the patient to use an exercise log to record day, time, duration, and responses to exercise activity
c.
Stressing the harm of not exercising by getting the patient to take responsibility for current health status
d.
Arranging for the patient to join a gym that takes self-pay rather than insurance
ANS: B
Keeping a log may increase adherence to an exercise prescription. Recommended frequency of
aerobic exercise is 3 to 5 times per week or every other day for approximately 30 minutes. Focusing
on the harm of not exercising is usually counterproductive. Instead, the nurse should instruct the
patient about the physiological benefits of a regular exercise program. Developing a plan of exercise
that the patient may perform at home may improve compliance.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:801
OBJ: Develop an individualized nursing care plan for a patient with activity intolerance.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
27. The nurse is preparing to transfer an uncooperative patient who does not have upper body
strength. Which piece of equipment will be best for the nurses to obtain?
a.
Drawsheet
b.
Full body sling
c.
Overhead trapeze
d.
Friction-reducing slide sheet
ANS: B
Using a mechanical lift and full body sling to transfer an uncooperative patient who can bear partial
weight or a patient who cannot bear weight and is either uncooperative or does not have upper body
strength to move from bed to chair prevents musculoskeletal injuries to health care workers. The
nurse should not attempt to move the patient with a drawsheet. The patient does not have upper
body strength so an overhead trapeze is not appropriate. A friction-reducing slide sheet that
minimizes shearing forces is not as effective as a full body sling.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:794 | 815
OBJ: Describe equipment needed for safe patient handling and movement.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Safety and Infection Control
28. The nurse is teaching a patient how to sit with crutches. In which order will the nurse present the
instructions starting with the first step?
1. Place both crutches in one hand.
2. Grasp arm of chair with free hand.
3. Completely lower self into chair.
4. Transfer weight to crutches and unaffected leg.
a.
4, 1, 2, 3
b.
1, 4, 2, 3
c.
1, 2, 4, 3
d.
4, 2, 1, 3
ANS: B
A patient is sitting in a chair with crutches. Both crutches are held in one hand. The patient then
transfers weight to the crutches and the unaffected leg. Next, the patient grasps the arm of the chair
with the free hand and begins to lower self into chair. Finally, the patient completely lowers self into
chair.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:803
OBJ: Develop an individualized nursing care plan for a patient with activity intolerance.
TOP: Teaching/Learning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
29. The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?
a.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease doing stretching exercises
b.
A patient with diabetes mellitus carrying hard candy while doing exercises
c.
A patient with a heart attack doing isometric exercises
d.
A patient with hypertension doing Tai Chi exercises
ANS: C
The nurse must see the myocardial infarction patient first to stop this type of exercise. It is important
to understand the energy expenditure (increased respiratory rate and increased work on the heart)
associated with isometric exercises because the exercises are sometimes contraindicated in certain
patients’ illnesses (e.g., myocardial infarction or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). All the rest
are appropriate. Stretching exercises are beneficial for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease. Also instruct patients to perform low- to moderate-intensity exercises, carry a concentrated
form of carbohydrates (sugar packets or hard candy), and wear a medical alert bracelet. The effect
of a Tai Chi exercise program has demonstrated a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood
pressures.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:790
OBJ: Describe important factors to consider when planning an exercise program for patients across
the life span and for those with specific chronic illnesses. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. A nurse is preparing to move a patient who is able to assist. Which principles will the nurse
consider when planning for safe patient handling? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Keep the body’s center of gravity high.
b.
Face the direction of the movement.
c.
Keep the base of support narrow.
d.
Use the under-axilla technique.
e.
Use proper body mechanics.
f.
Use arms and legs.
ANS: B, E, F
When a patient is able to assist, remember the following principles: The wider the base of support,
the greater the stability of the nurse; the lower the center of gravity, the greater the stability of the
nurse; facing the direction of movement prevents abnormal twisting of the spine. The use of assistive
equipment and continued use of proper body mechanics significantly reduces the risk of
musculoskeletal injuries. Use arms and legs (not back) because the leg muscles are stronger, larger
muscles capable of greater work without injury. The under-axilla technique is physically stressful for
nurses and uncomfortable for patients.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:791
OBJ: Discuss the impact of national patient safety resources, initiatives, and regulations in relation to
patient handling and movement. TOP: Planning MSC: Safety and Infection Control
2. A nurse is assessing activity tolerance of a patient. Which areas will the nurse assess? (Select all
that apply.)
a.
Skeletal abnormalities
b.
Emotional factors
c.
Pregnancy status
d.
Race
e.
Age
ANS: A, B, C, E
Physiological, emotional, and developmental factors (age) influence the patient’s activity tolerance.
Factors influencing activity tolerance include physiological factors such as skeletal abnormalities,
emotional factors such as anxiety/depression, developmental factors such as age and gender, and
pregnancy status. Race is not a factor because people of all races are faced with similar factors that
affect their activity tolerance.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:788
OBJ: Describe how to assess patients for activity intolerance. TOP: Assessment
MSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse is working in a facility that uses no-lift policies. Which benefits will the nurse observe in
the facility? (Select all that apply.)
a.
Reduced number of work-related injuries
b.
Increased musculoskeletal accidents
c.
Reduced safety of patients
d.
Improved health of nurses
e.
Increased indirect costs
ANS: A, D
Implementing evidence-based interventions and programs (e.g., lift teams) reduces the number of
work-related injuries, which improves the health of the nurse and reduces indirect costs to the health
care facility (e.g., workers’ compensation and replacing injured workers). Knowing the movements
and functions of muscles in maintaining posture and movement and implementing evidence-based
knowledge about safe patient handling are essential to protecting the safety of both the patient and
the nurse.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:792
OBJ: Discuss the importance of no-lift policies for patients and health care providers.
TOP:AssessmentMSC:Management of Care
4. A nurse writes the following outcomes for a patient who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease to improve activity level: Diastolic blood pressure will remain below 70 mm Hg with systolic
below 130 mm Hg. Resting heart rate will range between 65 and 75. The last goal is that the patient
will exercise 3 times a week. Which evaluative findings indicate successful goal achievement?
(Select all that apply.)
a.
Resting heart rate 70
b.
Blood pressure 126/64
c.
Blood pressure 140/90
d.
Reports doing stretching and flexibility exercises 2 times this week
e.
Reports doing resistive training 1 time and aerobics 2 times this week
ANS: A, B, E
Compare actual outcomes with expected outcomes to determine the patient’s health status and
progression. Heart rate of 70 is between 65 and 75. Blood pressure 126/64 meets the goal. Did
resistive training 1 time and aerobics 2 times equals exercising 3 times a week. Did stretching and
flexibility exercises 2 times is below the 3 times a week. Blood pressure 140/90 is too high and does
not meet the goal.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:810
OBJ: Evaluate the nursing care plan for maintaining activity and exercise for patients across the life
span and with specific chronic illnesses. TOP: Evaluation MSC: Management of Care
COMPLETION
1. A 55-year-old patient is preparing to start an exercise program. The health care provider wants
60% of maximum target heart rate. Calculate the heart rate that the nurse will add to the care plan
as the target heart rate. Record answer as a whole number.
_________ maximum heart rate
ANS:
99
Teach patients to calculate their maximum heart rate by subtracting their current age in years from
220 and then obtaining their target heart rate by taking 60% to 90% of the maximum, depending on
their health care provider’s recommendation. 220 − 55 = 165 × 0.6 = 99.
DIF:Analyze (analysis)REF:802
OBJ: Develop an individualized nursing care plan for a patient with activity intolerance.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Health Promotion and Maintenance
Chapter 40: Hygiene
Chapter 40: Hygiene
Potter et al.: Fundamentals of Nursing, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse is preparing to provide hygiene care. Which principle should the nurse consider when
planning hygiene care?
a.
Hygiene care is always routine and expected.
b.
No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner.
c.
It is important to standardize a patient’s hygienic practices.
d.
During hygiene care do not take the time to learn about patient needs.
ANS: B
No two individuals perform hygiene in the same manner; it is important to individualize the patient’s
care based on knowing about the patient’s unique hygiene practices and preferences. Hygiene care
is never routine; this care requires intimate contact with the patient and communication skills to
promote the therapeutic relationship. In addition, during hygiene, the nurse should take time to learn
about the patient’s health promotion practices and needs, emotional needs, and health care
education needs.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:823
OBJ:Describe factors that influence personal hygiene practices.
TOP: Planning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
2. A patient’s hygiene schedule of bathing and brushing teeth is largely influenced by family
customs. For which age group is the nurse most likely providing care?
a.
Adolescent
b.
Preschooler
c.
Older adult
d.
Adult
ANS: B
Family customs play a major role during childhood in determining hygiene practices such as the
frequency of bathing, the time of day bathing is performed, and even whether certain hygiene
practices such as brushing of the teeth or flossing are performed. As children enter adolescence,
peer groups and media often influence hygiene practices. During the adult years involvement with
friends and work groups shape the expectations that people have about personal appearance. Some
older adults’ hygiene practices change because of changes in living conditions and available
resources.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:823
OBJ:Describe factors that influence personal hygiene practices.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. The patient has been diagnosed with diabetes. When admitted, the patient is unkempt and is in
need of a bath and foot care. When questioned about hygiene habits, the nurse learns the patient
takes a bath once a week and a sponge bath every other day. To provide ultimate care for this
patient, which principle should the nurse keep in mind?
a.
Patients who appear unkempt place little importance on hygiene practices.
b.
Personal preferences determine hygiene practices and are unchangeable.
c.
The patient’s illness may require teaching of new hygiene practices.
d.
All cultures value cleanliness with the same degree of importance.
ANS: C
The nurse must assist the patient in developing new hygiene practices when indicated by an illness
or condition. For example, the nurse will need to teach a patient with diabetes proper foot hygiene.
Patients who appear unkempt often need further assessment regarding their ability to participate in
daily hygiene. Patients with certain types of physical limitations or disabilities often lack the physical
energy and dexterity to perform hygienic care. Culturally, maintaining cleanliness does not hold the
same importance for some ethnic groups as it does for others.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:823
OBJ:Describe factors that influence personal hygiene practices.
TOP: Planning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who refuses to bathe in the morning. When asked why, the
patient says “I always bathe in the evening.” Which action by the nurse is best?
a.
Defer the bath until evening and pass on the information to the next shift.
b.
Tell the patient that daily morning baths are the “normal” routine.
c.
Explain the importance of maintaining morning hygiene practices.
d.
Cancel hygiene for the day and attempt again in the morning.
ANS: A
Allow the patient to follow normal hygiene practices; change the bath to evening. Patients have
individual preferences about when to perform hygiene and grooming care. Knowing the patient’s
personal preferences promotes individualized care for the patient. Hygiene care is never routine.
Maintaining individual personal preferences is important unless new hygiene practices are indicated
by an illness or condition. Cancelling hygiene and trying again is not an option since the nurse
already knows the reason for refusal. Adapting practices to meet individual needs is required.
DIF:Apply (application)REF:823
OBJ:Describe factors that influence personal hygiene practices.
TOP: Implementation MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
5. A nurse is completing an assessment of the patient. Which principle is a priority?
a.
Foot care will always be important.
b.
Daily bathing will always be important.
c.
Hygiene needs will always be important.
d.
Critical thinking will always be important.
ANS: D
A patient’s condition is always changing, requiring ongoing critical thinking and changing of nursing
diagnoses. Apply the elements of critical thinking as you use the nursing process to meet patients’
hygiene needs. Critical thinking will help you determine when foot care, daily bathing, and hygiene
needs are important and when they are not.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:825
OBJ:Discuss the role that critical thinking plays in providing hygiene.
TOP:PlanningMSC:Management of Care
6. When providing hygiene for an older-adult patient, the nurse closely assesses the skin. What is
the rationale for the nurse’s action?
a.
Outer skin layer becomes more resilient.
b.
Less frequent bathing may be required.
c.
Skin becomes less subject to bruising.
d.
Sweat glands become more active.
ANS: B
In older adults, daily bathing as well as bathing with water that is too hot or soap that is harsh causes
the skin to become excessively dry. As the patient ages, the skin thins and loses its resiliency and
moisture, and lubricating skin glands become less active, making the skin fragile and prone to
bruising and breaking.
DIF:Understand (comprehension)REF:824
OBJ: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s total hygiene needs.
TOP: Planning MSC: Basic Care and Comfort
7. The nurse is bathing a patient and notices movement in the patient’s hair. Which action will the
nurse take?
a.
Use gloves to inspect the hair.
b.
Apply a lindane-based shampoo immediately.
c.
Shave the hair off of the patient’s head.
d.
Ignore the movement and continue.
ANS: A
In community health and home care settings, it is particularly important to inspect the hair for lice so
appropriate hygienic treatment can be provided. If pediculosis capitis (head lice) is suspected, the
nurse must protect self against self-infestations by handwashing and by using gloves or tongue
blades to inspect the patient’s hair. Suspicions cannot be ignored. Shaving hair off affected areas is
the treatment for pediculosis pubis (crab lice) and is rarely used for head